USAID chief pledges $250 million in aid to Ukraine's agricultural sector.

The U.S. will provide £250 million to support Ukraine's agriculture sector, U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) chief Samantha Power said[1] on July 18. Power made the announcement upon visiting the port city of Odesa where she denounced Russia's withdrawal from the Black Sea Grain Initiative.

Moscow decided[2] to terminate its participation in the grain deal on July 17, sparking fears about food security worldwide. The newly pledged funds will be dispensed through Agriculture Resilience Initiative-Ukraine (AGRI-Ukraine), bringing its total investment to £350 million. Power also said that to date, USAID has leveraged £250 million in private sector contributions in support of AGRI-Ukraine along with the newly announced investment.

USAID is seeking an additional £250 million in leveraged support from the private sector, other donors, and foundations, she added. "Ukraine's agricultural products and grain are critical for the world's food supply and key to the country's economic recovery and future prosperity. USAID, through AGRI-Ukraine, will continue to help Ukraine's farmers produce, store, and export agricultural products and grain to the world," USAID said in its statement.

The U.S. government also pledged to expand critical agricultural infrastructure such as irrigation, grain elevators, trans-shipment facilities, and port and border infrastructure. Power arrived[3] in Ukraine on July 17 to meet Ukrainian government officials as well as representatives of the private and civil sectors to discuss USAID cooperation with the country.

Ukraine war latest: Grain deal collapses after Russia pulls from agreement Key Developments on July 17: * Grain deal collapses after Russia pulls from agreement * Crimean Bridge damaged after reported explosions * Military: Russian forces on the offensive in Lyman-Kupiansk direction * Foreign Ministry marks 9-year anniversary of Russian downing of MH17 * More Wagner...

News Editor

Martin Fornusek is a news editor at the Kyiv Independent.

He has previously worked as a news content editor at the media company Newsmatics and is a contributor to Euromaidan Press.

He also volunteers as an editor and translator at the Czech-language version of Ukrainer.

Martin studied at Masaryk University in Brno, Czechia, holding a bachelor's degree in security studies and history and a master's degree in conflict and democracy studies.

References

1. ^ said (www.usaid.gov)
2. ^ decided (kyivindependent.com)
3. ^ arrived (kyivindependent.com)
4. ^ Ukraine war latest: Grain deal collapses after Russia pulls from agreementKey Developments on July 17: * Grain deal collapses after Russia pulls from agreement * Crimean Bridge damaged after reported explosions * Military: Russian forces on the offensive in Lyman-Kupiansk direction * Foreign Ministry marks 9-year anniversary of Russian downing of MH17 * More Wagner... (kyivindependent.com)