For members of the U.S.-based charity group Razom for Ukraine, U.S. President Donald Trump’s Feb. 28 verbal assault on Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky felt like “a punch to the intestine,” because it undermined years of the nation’s diplomatic assist for Ukraine in its ongoing struggle in opposition to Russian aggression.
“We weren’t alone on this feeling, although — quickly after, we acquired an inflow of donations from hundreds of Individuals who have been upset by the result of the assembly,” Anastasia Rab, chief development officer for Razom, informed the Kyiv Unbiased.
Within the wake of the confrontation, the Trump administration took unprecedented actions, together with suspending navy assist and curbing intelligence sharing, which immediately threatens Ukraine's means to defend itself. In the meantime, Trump’s assaults on Zelensky appeared to shift blame for the battle’s length from Russia to Ukraine itself, additional exacerbating tensions.
Regardless of these challenges, volunteer organizations on each side of the Atlantic are seeing a slight improve in assist, as Individuals and Ukrainians alike, disheartened by the political setbacks, are extra decided than ever to indicate their solidarity with Ukraine’s effort.
However these volunteer organizations can solely achieve this a lot, they stress.
Folks stepping up
Razom for Ukraine was based in 2014 after the EuroMaidan Revolution and Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, witnessing firsthand the tough realities of the continuing battle and its toll on Ukrainian civilians and troopers alike.
Within the lead-up to Trump’s inauguration in January, Razom’s members felt what they described as a “deep sense of responsibility and accountability” to step as much as the challenges his presidency may current, with donations only one a part of their broader effort.
“We’ve been working with politicians, press, and constituents on each side of the (political) aisle to make sure that assist for Ukraine continues to be bipartisan, and folks have the knowledge and assist they should craft good Ukraine coverage,” Rab mentioned.
Not like many different organizations, Razom for Ukraine was not impacted by the current U.S. authorities cuts to USAID (the US Company for Worldwide Growth). Their nationwide donor base has allowed them to proceed finishing up their mission.
Nevertheless, a few of the 200 Ukraine-based organizations supported by Razom's Aid Fund — which has helped over a million civilians by offering meals, shelter, clear water, psychological assist, and different requirements in the course of the full-scale battle — have been impacted by Trump's freeze on international help, hindering their work.
In response to Razom’s web site, they’ve earmarked an extra $1.8 million in funds to make it possible for these affiliated organizations are in a position to proceed serving to Ukrainian civilians impacted immediately by the battle.
Whereas Razom says it has skilled an uptick in donations from throughout the U.S. and is on observe to fulfill its fundraising targets forward of schedule, the group emphasizes that there are nonetheless limits to what they will do.
“Individuals are clearly stepping up and we’re grateful for that engagement, nevertheless it’s actually necessary to notice that this engagement can’t compensate for the cut-off in navy assist, monetary assist, and intelligence sharing of the U.S.,” Rab mentioned.
"With out U.S. navy funding or weapons, I worry the worst is but to return."
Many Individuals have been watching the newest occasions unfold with the understanding that supporting Ukraine is not only an act of solidarity — it’s extra essential than ever.
“Russia gained't again down, if something I worry issues will proceed getting worse. With out U.S. navy funding or weapons, I worry the worst is but to return,” Emma Atul, who has spent summers in Ukraine as a volunteer English instructor, informed the Kyiv Unbiased.
Although between jobs and unable to donate as usually as she’d like, she stays dedicated to selling the Ukrainian tradition she’s skilled firsthand and he or she says that Razom for Ukraine is all the time a dependable selection for her in terms of the place to donate — even a small sum appears like she's making a distinction.
“The least we as Individuals can do is donate to charities and proceed writing to our representatives. I might not be Ukrainian or have Ukrainian family members however Ukraine has a particular place in my coronary heart.”
The Kyiv IndependentNatalia Yermak
Getting ready ‘not solely in instances of disaster’
In Ukraine, the place practically everybody has misplaced somebody to the battle or has a beloved one preventing on the entrance line, the newest information from the U.S. has been met with a quiet stoicism — a well-recognized response, although nonetheless one that’s by no means simple to bear.
The precedence of volunteer organizations on the bottom in Ukraine stays largely unchanged — it doesn’t matter what occurs, they proceed to seek for methods to assist troopers on the entrance strains and ease the struggling of civilians.
Based in 2014, Come Again Alive is one among Ukraine’s largest and most significant wartime assist organizations, primarily tasked with buying weapons and different crucial tools for the navy. Nevertheless, since 2022, the group has additionally been investing in coaching for the Ukrainian military.
“This helps to effectively use the fabric sources the military already has, in addition to to avoid wasting lives,” Head of Partnerships Oleksandra Haivoronska informed the Kyiv Unbiased.
“All these years, and never solely in instances of disaster, we’ve been making an attempt to work to the fullest and construct capability. That's why we nonetheless consider all our initiatives from the standpoint of ‘What does it give the nation?’ and ‘What does it change on the battlefield?’”
The group permits the general public to trace donations on its web site. Donations from international supporters particularly noticed a modest uptick following Zelensky’s contentious go to to the White Home on the finish of February, in line with Haivoronska.
Within the first two months of 2025, Come Again Alive acquired greater than 363,000 donations totaling Hr 545.4 million ($13 million) — a rise from the identical interval final yr, when the group collected Hr 452.6 million ($11 million) from 163,000 donations. The listed currencies of the donations embrace not solely hryvnias however euros and {dollars}, indicating a world donor base.
The Kyiv IndependentBrooke Manning
‘We are able to not depend on anybody however ourselves’
Whereas some volunteer organizations in Ukraine rely extra on grants than donations, they’re intently monitoring the shifting dynamics of U.S. assist.
The Ukrainian Charity Alliance, based in Kharkiv in 2018, focuses on aiding probably the most weak teams in Ukrainian society by schooling, healthcare, social safety, authorized help, and psychological assist.
Going into 2025, the group proactively started strengthening its operational methods to make sure readiness for the challenges the approaching months could deliver.
“We have now a plan. We’re presently engaged on a brand new fundraising technique, which shall be targeted on elevating funds overseas. We have now established a board of trustees and are choosing ambassadors from different international locations who will assist us with this,” Oleksii Kurtsev, director of the group, informed the Kyiv Unbiased.
Although the Ukrainian Charity Alliance was indirectly affected by USAID cuts, its group stays "deeply involved" concerning the precedent set by the Trump administration's current actions, which recommend that worldwide regulation has faltered and energy is now the dominant drive in resolving conflicts.
“We are able to not depend on anybody however ourselves and our trusted companions, with whom we’ve been working for over three years to deliver our shared victory nearer,” Kurtsev mentioned.
“A powerful world civil society has the ability to problem governments that prioritize solely their very own pursuits.”
Be aware from the creator:
Hello there, thanks for studying my newest article. As an American dwelling in Ukraine for a few years, it meant quite a bit to me to see that lots of my fellow countrymen have been as outraged by Trump's current coverage turns as I used to be. Supporting Ukraine is extra necessary than ever, and that features supporting charities, like those I wrote about right here. If you happen to like studying this form of factor, please consider becoming a member of the Kyiv Independent.
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