News Feed

USAID chief Samantha Power arrives in Ukraine

2 min read

Samantha Power, the head of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), arrived in Ukraine, as she informed on social media on July 17.

"It's good to be back in Ukraine. Even as the Ukrainian people fight back against Putin's brutality, they are looking to the future – they're innovating, transforming and rebuilding. Follow along the next few days to see how the U.S. is partnering with them to build for the future," Power tweeted.

The USAID chief will meet Ukraine's government officials to discuss the ongoing partnership with Ukraine, the agency said on its website.

Power is also expected to meet Ukrainian farmers, private sector leaders, members of civil society, energy workers, youth, emergency response teams, and mental health professionals.

"The Administrator (Samantha Power) will also visit USAID partners who deliver vital assistance to those suffering as a result of Russia's aggression, including key examples of USAID's ongoing development work that supports infrastructure and institutions that are critical to Ukraine's future," the agency said.

A former U.S. Ambassador to the UN, Power has been appointed as the head of the USAID by the Biden administration on May 3, 2021.

The USAID signed a cooperation agreement with Ukraine in 1992 to help the country's economic, political, and societal development. The agency said it provided Ukraine with $9.88 billion in development and humanitarian assistance since the start of the full-scale invasion on Feb. 24, 2022.

Avatar
Martin Fornusek

Reporter

Martin Fornusek is a reporter for the Kyiv Independent, specializing in international and regional politics, history, and disinformation. Based in Lviv, Martin often reports on international politics, with a focus on analyzing developments related to Ukraine and Russia. His career in journalism began in 2021 after graduating from Masaryk University in Brno, Czechia, earning a Master's degree in Conflict and Democracy Studies. Martin has been invited to speak on Times Radio, France 24, Czech Television, and Radio Free Europe. He speaks English, Czech, and Ukrainian.

Read more
News Feed

During a meeting with Energy Minister Denys Shmyhal on July 12, President Volodymyr Zelensky stressed the need to take additional "more decisive" steps to protect Ukraine's energy infrastructure and emphasized the importance of robust winter preparedness plans for communities and regions.

 (Updated:  )

Yulia Svyrydenko, who replaced former Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal in July 2025, will now take on a new role leading cooperation with Ukraine’s key partners, Zelensky announced on social media.

Video

Once promoted by the Kremlin as a symbol of Russia’s resurgence and a premier tourist destination, the peninsula now faces mounting pressure from Ukrainian drone strikes targeting military infrastructure, logistics, and supply routes.

Show More