US President’s freeze on billions in foreign aid could hit the Balkans hard, experts say.
PRISTINA, JAN 31 – Trump’s sudden decision to freeze foreign aid has left Kosovo, Albania, and Serbia facing uncertainty. The US Agency for International Development (USAID) has invested billions in these countries, supporting their EU goals — but now, key projects are on hold.
In Kosovo, Sytrime Dervisholi, head of a major construction group, warned the freeze will hit businesses and training programs hard. “Kosovo relies on US aid. We hope this will be lifted soon,” she said.
Kosovo’s economy could take a big hit, says analyst Safet Gërxhaliu, calling the freeze “bad news” for the country’s future.
Serbia faces similar problems. Transparency International’s Nemanja Nenadi? said USAID-backed projects on public finance and corruption are now paused.
With the freeze in place, some worry Russia could take advantage of the situation, gaining influence in the region.
