Secretary of State Marco Rubio has issued an order that pauses most foreign aid for 90 days, including assistance to Ukraine. 

Source:Politico citing the document and sources familiar with the order 

Details:As per the document, which POLITICO obtained, department staffers are required to issue "stop-work orders" on nearly all "existing foreign assistance awards." This order is effective immediately and could affect already appropriated funds, particularly those for military assistance to Ukraine. 

Quote:"Secretary of State Marco Rubio halted spending Friday on most existing foreign aid grants for 90 days. The order, which shocked State Department officials, appears to apply to funding for military assistance to Ukraine."

Details:The document does provide exceptions for certain awards, specifically funding for Egypt and Israel, and allows for emergency food assistance. 

Quote: "One current State Department official, plus two former Biden administration officials, said the pause appears to stop aid to key allies such as Ukraine, Jordan and Taiwan."

Details:"Pentagon has told me the opposite – that this order does not apply to military assistance… I think they might be referring to the FMF program. Although, the appropriated funds for assistance to Ukraine have all been spent," stated Ostap Yarysh, a correspondent of Voice of America, on X. 

Background: 

• US President Donald Trump signed an executive order on 20 January to suspend all foreign aid programmes for 90 days to assess their alignment with the "America First" foreign policy. 
• The executive order signed by Trump grants Rubio, or a person designated by him, the authority to make such decisions in consultation with the Office of Management and Budget.
• Donald Trump had earlier emphasised that in his efforts to resolve the Russian-Ukrainian war, he "will not abandon Ukraine".

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