US cancels democracy grants for post-Soviet countries

The US State Department has canceled 139 foreign grants worth $214 million in countries including Moldova, Belarus, Armenia, and Uzbekistan, dw.com reported.

The decision, approved by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, takes effect on April 15. Most programs were funded by the Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor (DRL).

An additional review by the Government Efficiency Department (DOGE), led by Elon Musk, expanded the list of canceled programs.

According to an internal memo, the DEI programs waste taxpayer money and don't align with the administration's priorities.

Grants for "civic engagement" in Uzbekistan, "media resilience" in Moldova, "countering disinformation" in Belarus, and "environmental sustainability" in Armenia have been cut. Media diversity programs in the UK were also terminated. Read 'Zamin' on Telegram!