The USAID initiative had invested hundreds of millions of dollars in helping Ukraine's energy grid recover from attacks from Russia.

Summary

The State Department has ended a major USAID initiative to restore Ukraine’s energy grid, which has suffered continuous Russian attacks.

The move, seen as a signal of declining U.S. support, also includes downsizing USAID’s presence in Ukraine from 64 to just 8 personnel.

Officials warn this could leave Ukraine vulnerable, especially during winter, and reduce oversight of financial aid.

Additionally, a financial sector reform program has been terminated. The decision is part of the broader Trump administration policies shifting away from strong U.S. involvement in Ukraine.

  • floofloof@lemmy.caEnglish
    61·
    20 hours ago

    I don’t think that he controls him. Trump’s ego is far too bloated for that.

    A bloated ego makes a person easier to control, not harder.

    • WatDabney@lemmy.dbzer0.comEnglish
      31·
      20 hours ago

      Here’s the full text of what I said, including the part you inexplicably left out:

      For the record, I do think that Putin manipulates Trump, and pretty brazenly at that, but I don’t think that he controls him. Trump’s ego is far too bloated for that.

      And that’s specifically because, in point of fact, a bloated ego makes a person easier to manipulate, but not to “control.” They reflexively rebel against direct control, because it’s a threat to their ego, but they’re relatively easily manipulated, because all anyone has to do is frame things in a way that will appeal to their ego.

      Did you really not grasp the distinction I was making there?

      • floofloof@lemmy.caEnglish
        1·
        19 hours ago

        Yes I really didn’t, and it seems a little academic: both could be called forms of control.

        • Nougat@fedia.io
          2·
          19 hours ago

          The kind of control Putin exerts over Trump depends on Trump thinking he’s in control, when he is most obviously to anyone with eyes, not.

          On the other hand, Putin control Lukashenko, and Lukashenko knows it.