Russia welcomes USAID cuts, calls body ‘machine for interfering’
February 6, 2025
Russia praised the new US administration’s decision to close USAID, calling the agency a “machine for interfering” in global affairs. The move followed Trump advisor Elon Musk’s announcement to shut down the agency as part of efforts to reduce government size. USAID, which funded global health, development, and democracy initiatives, was accused by Russia of meddling in domestic politics, particularly in ex-Soviet states. The closure has faced criticism, especially from aid groups, who warn of disruptions in critical programs like HIV prevention.
