U.S. Halts Ukraine Energy Aid, Cyber Operations against Russia

The U.S. State Department has terminated a U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) program aimed at restoring Ukraine's energy infrastructure, while the Defense Department has suspended planning for cyber operations against Russia.

The USAID initiative, which allocated hundreds of millions of dollars to repair Ukraine’s energy grid damaged by Russian attacks, was halted this week, according to two agency employees quoted by NBC News. One official warned the decision could signal to Russia that U.S. support for Ukraine is diminishing and may affect future negotiations between Moscow and Washington.

Power outages have affected parts of Ukraine as the country’s energy facilities continue to face Russian strikes. USAID officials say ending the Ukraine Energy Security Project will leave critical infrastructure vulnerable during winter. The agency has also begun scaling back its presence in Ukraine, reducing its on-ground personnel from 64 to 8.

A separate U.S. program focusing on financial sector reform in Ukraine has also been terminated. USAID officials warn this could limit oversight of how American financial aid is used.

Meanwhile, The Record reported that U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has ordered U.S. Cyber Command to stop planning cyber operations against Russia. This move does not affect intelligence gathering by the National Security Agency but could disrupt U.S. cyber support for Ukraine. The decision comes as Cyber Command deals with staffing shortages while also addressing threats from Mexican drug cartels, which have been designated as terrorist organizations.

In December 2024, a large-scale Russian cyberattack targeted Ukraine’s Ministry of Justice, causing prolonged service disruptions. Analysts warn that halting cyber operations may expose U.S. businesses and critical infrastructure to increased cyber threats.

The developments follow a recent meeting between Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and former U.S. President Donald Trump, where talks over a rare earth metals agreement reportedly ended in a dispute.