US energy aid to Ukraine stalls as winter approaches

American and European officials are expressing growing concern that hundreds of millions of dollars in US energy aid to Ukraine remain unspent, even as the country suffers from a freezing winter and Russian attacks have severely damaged its energy infrastructure.

The funds were originally to be administered by USAID for the import of liquefied natural gas and repairs to equipment destroyed by Russian strikes.

However, following the de facto abolition of USAID in the early weeks of President Donald Trump's administration, part of the funds found themselves in an administrative vacuum.

The White House claims that the available resources were not specifically earmarked for energy and plans to use them primarily to develop Ukraine's critical minerals sector. Former officials in Joe Biden's administration question this, pointing out that Congress approved the funds specifically to support energy.

The delay in aid is causing frustration in Kyiv and among allies. Millions of Ukrainians are facing power, heating, and water outages, with all major power plants damaged or destroyed, according to Ukrainian authorities. With extreme cold weather approaching, diplomats are warning of serious humanitarian consequences.

(reuters, est)