Reinstate USAID Ukraine energy grid initiative, support deterrence

The administration's decision to terminate support for restoring Ukraine's energy infrastructure represents a shameful betrayal of a vital ally. Ukraine relies on a resilient energy grid to power its defenses and civilian infrastructure amidst Russia's relentless bombardment. By revoking USAID's initiative, which has invested heavily in shoring up this critical system, the United States leaves Ukraine vulnerable to crippling outages that could undermine its military capabilities and jeopardize civilian lives during the harsh winter. Moreover, the dramatic downsizing of USAID's personnel weakens oversight of the very financial aid intended to bolster Ukraine's self-defense. These actions signal an unconscionable abandonment of the U.S. pledge to defend Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity against Russian aggression. They risk emboldening Moscow's expansionism and destabilizing the entire region, undermining the rules-based international order.