Trump’s Ukraine Aid Cuts Undermine Justice for Russian War Crimes
Investigations into alleged Russian war crimes in Ukraine are facing severe strain after the Trump administration slashed millions in U.S. funding for war-crimes accountability initiatives, jeopardizing efforts to document atrocities and prosecute perpetrators. The U.S. once championed accountability for some of the world's worst atrocities, but the Trump administration has cut tens of millions of dollars in funding for these initiatives as part of a broader strategy to prioritize domestic interests under its "America First" agenda. Since 2022, Reuters has tracked over $283 million in U.S. funding designated for war-crimes initiatives in Ukraine. Roksolana Makar, who leads the organization Truth Hounds and braved icy roads and drone strikes to interview torture survivors in Izium, expressed grave concern over diminishing prospects for accountability. The U.S. cessation of funding has left her organization and many others struggling to continue documenting crucial evidence […]