Discussions about suspending USAID assistance have become trivial. We've started to overlook the most important aspects, says Ivan Primachenko.

The worst thing that has happened in the discussion about the suspension of USAID assistance is that it has shifted from a strategic level of "how does this affect our ability to effectively conduct the war" to a petty level of "good or bad NGOs receiving grants."

At the strategic level, everything is crystal clear: we have (temporarily?) lost billions of dollars in foreign currency inflows that were spent in the country and fueled its economy.

This money was used to enhance the government's ability to implement necessary reforms for victory, restore energy, build school bomb shelters, and fund programs for veterans, internally displaced persons (IDPs), and people with disabilities. The primary beneficiaries of the aid were not NGOs and local businesses implementing relevant projects, but Ukrainian citizens and the state, which received an additional source of support.

Whether you love or hate civil society, it does not change the fact that the freezing of USAID assistance in a war of attrition is bad news.

Instead of discussing this undeniable damage and ways to manage it, for the third day now, a small group of people who have stopped thinking in terms of Ukraine's victory in the war and started thinking in terms of petty infighting within society have turned an important discussion into disputes about the effectiveness of civil organizations. Taking pleasure in the problems of the civil sector, which brought billions of dollars into the country, is akin to rejoicing in the war-induced issues faced by agricultural exporters or metallurgists. It is neither wise nor productive—after all, the consequences of these problems will be felt by the majority of Ukrainian citizens.

It seems some have started to forget that in this war, we either win together or lose together. The army, the state, business, and civil society are all in this together. Their defeat will have catastrophic consequences for everyone.