The Trump administration's plan to dismantle the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) has raised alarm among rights groups and independent media in Russia, Belarus, and Moldova. Officials announced drastic cuts in workforce from 10,000 to just 290, effectively ending many operations. While this move is celebrated by Russian officials as a blow to external influence, civil society activists warn it jeopardizes their ability to track political arrests and support dissent. The collapse of funding poses significant risks to ongoing democratic processes in the region and undermines support for critical independent initiatives.
The Trump administration's plan to dismantle USAID, cutting its workforce drastically, has been welcomed by Moscow but raises serious concerns among rights groups and independent media.
Despite the Russian government praising the cuts, civil society groups worry that the withdrawal of funding will significantly hinder their efforts to support dissidents and monitor elections.
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