USAID Will Stop Functioning in Russia

The United States Agency for International Development, the main sponsor of Russian NGOs, is ceasing activity in the Russian Federation starting this Monday.

Included among the goals USAID upholds are the support of the development of civil society, democracy and human rights, the fight against illnesses such as T.B., HIV/AIDS and others, help for disabled and orphans, and protection of the environment.

Moscow initiated the cessation of USAID activities in Russia. According to the Russian authorities, the agency tried to influence political processes, including elections at various levels, by handing out grants.

When explaining the decision, Moscow explained that the nature of USAID’s work “does not always correspond to [its] stated goals,” especially in the northern Caucasus.

Washington denied it roundly. It said that USAID had been conducting a series of programs to educate observers and participants in electoral campaigns, without taking into account their membership in either party.

Furthermore, it said it hoped that the closure of USAID in Russia doesn’t mean the end of the “reset” of relations between the U.S. and Russia, relations of great use for both nations.

Supporters of Russian human rights showed concern over the closure of USAID. Many nonprofit organizations said that they couldn’t carry out their projects without its help, especially small, regional organizations that give concrete assistance to certain groups of citizens.

Elena Panfilova, head of the anti-corruption research center Transparency International Russia described the closing of USAID in Russia as symbolic. She said that this puts an end to the story of the enactment of the law that defines as “foreign agents” nongovernmental organizations dedicated to political activities financed from overseas.