USAID democracy programs can complicate international relations

Russian officials say they are ordering the U.S. Agency for International Development to close its operations in the country because U.S. pro-democracy programs have interfered in its elections. While Russia is not the only country to make such claims, U.S. officials say foreign assistance is not used to support political opposition groups, but to increase democratic participation and peacefully resolve disputes and grievances.

After the collapse of the Soviet Union, the leaders of Russia asked the U.S. for assistance in building a democracy and a market economy.

Over the past 20 years, election-monitoring groups, human rights organizations, and anti-corruption efforts have been funded in part by USAID, which has provided more than $2.6 billion to Russia.

President Vladimir Putin has now ended USAID's programs, reportedly out of...

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There is a fine line between helping and interfering.