Washington, February 2025
How the United States provides assistance, advocates diplomacy, and enforces economic measures to counter Russia’s actions against Ukraine.
International Principles Challenged by Russia
Moscow’s actions in Ukraine threaten to set new precedents on European soil, undermining these basic international principles vital to peace and security:
- The borders and territorial integrity of a state cannot be changed by force.
- Citizens in a democracy have an inherent right to determine their country’s future.
- All members of the international community are bound by common rules and must face consequences if they break their solemn commitments.
These principles extend beyond Ukraine.
These principles extend beyond Europe.
These principles are the underpinnings of the international order that together the United States and our Allies and partners have built and sustained.
In challenging these principles, Russia challenges the international system itself and unravels our transatlantic alliance, erodes our unity, and pressures democracies into failure.
Diplomacy is the only responsible way to resolve this crisis.
U.S. Support for Ukraine
Since 2014, the United States has committed billions in assistance to Ukraine, including security and non-security assistance.
Our support includes military, humanitarian, and economic assistance to help Ukraine defend itself from Russia’s unprovoked further invasion, and to ensure the Government of Ukraine can function effectively during the conflict and support the people of Ukraine as they endure attacks from Russia’s forces.
The United States is the largest single-country donor of humanitarian assistance to Ukraine. Individuals seeking to leave Ukraine can find information from UNHCR on where to go for help. The State Department has partnered with GoFundMe.org to address the humanitarian needs of the people affected by Russia’s attack against Ukraine.
Sanctions and Economic Measures
In March 2022, the United States banned the import of Russian energy products. This was another step to deprive President Putin of the economic resources he uses to continue his needless war of choice. The United States continues to coordinate with major oil consumers and producers towards a collective investment to secure stability and global energy supplies, including for Ukraine.
The Department of the Treasury also expanded its Russia-sanctions authorities. The Secretary of the Treasury, in consultation with the Secretary of State, identified the aerospace, marine, and electronics sectors of the Russian Federation economy pursuant to Executive Order 14024. This allows sanctions to be imposed on any individual or entity determined to operate or have operated in any of those sectors and provides an expanded ability to swiftly impose additional economic costs on Russia for its war of choice in Ukraine.
Learn more: Sanctions create accountability for Russia and Belarus.
In response to Russia’s aggression, the United States, along with our allies and partners, imposed severe and immediate economic costs on Russia. These measures include sweeping financial sanctions that had an immediate impact on Russia’s economy and export controls that will cut off Russia’s access to vital technological inputs, atrophy its industrial base, and undercut Russia’s strategic ambitions to exert influence on the world stage.
Russia will feel this pain. Putin and his cronies will feel this pain. It will accumulate over time. We’ve targeted Russia’s largest banks—cut them off from the U.S. financial system and frozen their assets. They are blacklisted globally and the Russian financial system—its principal connection to international trade and investment—has been tarred. Our export controls choked off Russia’s vital technological imports.
This is not what we wanted to do. This is not the best outcome for the people of Ukraine or Russia. But Putin’s war of choice has required that he suffer the consequences of his actions.
From the State Department
- Press briefings on Ukraine and Russia
- Actions holding Russia and Belarus accountable
- Military assistance and cooperation
- Atrocity Crimes Advisory Group
- Exposing false narratives spread by Russia
- US Mission to NATO
- US Mission to OSCE
- US Embassy Kyiv
From Our Partners
- Foreign Assistance
- USAID Mission
- Ukraine Conflict Observatory
- United States Institute of Peace – Ukraine