Dasha Litvinova And Yuras Karmanau. Copyright The Associated Press. All rights reserved. TALLINN — Rights groups, activists and independent media in Russia and Belarus endured increased government scrutiny, repressive laws and even being outlawed and forced to operate from exile abroad. Many survived despite the difficulties. Now some face a new challenge: the decision by U. President Donald Trump to freeze for 90 days the aid provided by Washington.
The aid, which came directly from or via the partners of the U. Agency for International Development, as well as from other entities funded by the U. Aid freeze means cutting expenses, scrapping plans. Some Russian organizations said they'll still operate but will cut expenses and possibly plans, adding they knew of others in bigger jeopardy.
An editor of an independent Russian news outlet operating in exile echoed Anisimov and also cited crowdfunding as one reliable revenue sources. The editor spoke on condition of anonymity for security reasons. The funds were allocated for future projects, as well as various improvements, she said. Burakova, who formerly headed a legal aid group in St. Petersburg backed by exiled tycoon-turned-opposition-figure Mikhail Khodorkovsky, cited repressive laws and regulations that make it harder for critical and independent groups to get funding from Russians.
Laws that drive Russian donors away. Russia has banned advertising with them. Many had to move their teams abroad after Russia invaded Ukraine to avoid the ever-widening crackdown.
It's not clear how much U. I consider it my duty to support them at least for some time. The U. Embassy in Moscow said it was unable to comment. Funding losses for Belarus pro-democracy forces. Pro-democracy forces from Belarus told AP the frozen U. Dozens of nongovernmental organizations and several independent media groups are on the brink of closure, they said. Opposition leaders recently prepared a report for Western governments, outlining the effects of the freeze, according to a person close to Belarusian opposition leaders.
