U.S. State Department planning possible additional exemptions to foreign aid freeze for Ukraine — Politico

The U.S. State Department is compiling a list of additional exemptions to Washington’s suspension of humanitarian aid to Ukraine, Politico reported on Tuesday, citing two knowledgable sources and a document obtained by journalists.

According to Politico, the measures could grant Kyiv access to economic and security-related assistance that had previously been frozen by the Trump administration.

The document indicates that the exemptions would cover demining efforts, narcotics control, healthcare programs, and funding for support of democratic institutions and civil society. One State Department official said that Yuri Kim, principal deputy assistant secretary of State for Europe and Eurasia, had been tasked with drawing up the list of included programs.

If these exemptions are approved, they would go beyond those that Secretary of State Marco Rubio already made last week for “core life-saving” assistance. Politico noted that it remains unclear whether the exemptions would extend to military aid.

The plans for the exemptions date back at least to late January, Politico wrote. The outlet also pointed out that efforts to expand exemptions for Ukraine suggest divisions within the Trump team over policy towards Kyiv.

State Department representatives did not respond to Politico’s requests for comment.