Russia Terminates USAID Activities Amid Kremlin Crackdown On Foreign Groups

Source: The Hill

The Kremlin is ending the U.S. Agency for International Development's activities in Russia, the State Department announced Tuesday.

The decision follows longtime criticism by President Vladimir Putin of U.S. efforts to foster democracy and human rights in Russia.

Putin blamed Secretary of State Hillary Clinton for inciting protests against flawed parliamentary elections last December.

This summer he signed into law legislation requiring foreign-funded nonprofit organizations engaged in election monitoring and other political activities to register as “foreign agents.”

Read more: http://thehill.com/blogs/global-affairs/foreign-aid/250101-russia-terminates-usaid-activities-amid-crackdown-on-foreign-groups