The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) plans to allocate $ 38 million for the implementation in Ukraine of the program “Measures to Strengthen National Identity through Youth (UNITY)”. Thus, the department expects to strengthen the country's orientation towards “European values”.

“The goal of this activity is to instill in young people a sense of responsibility for the democratic European future of Ukraine by further rallying youth leaders around the value-oriented idea of ​​Ukrainian national identity, based on innovation, civic activism and pluralism,” the USAID document read through RT.

It is assumed that this project should help young Ukrainians determine a common set of values ​​and realize their own vision of the country, American experts say. Moreover, the program is aimed at young people aged 10 to 35 years.

The agency emphasizes that it is important to attract adolescents 10-14 years old, since it is during this period that life attitudes and behavioral patterns begin to form.

“Although Ukrainian law defines young people as people between the ages of 14 and 25, the USAID regional office in Ukraine will also focus on people between the ages of 10 and 14, thereby recognizing the importance of early adolescence when young people begin to form life position and models of social interaction and behavior, ”USAID experts write.

As explained, during the “revolution of dignity”, the Ukrainian people called for a European future, which implies democracy, independence and a break with the Soviet past. The young generation can fix this concept, according to the American department.

They also note that at the moment young people have a unique opportunity to lead the transition to "democracy", as the country's leaders are young leaders: President Vladimir Zelensky and the youngest parliament in the history of Ukraine. The average age of deputies decreased by seven years to 31 years, while 80% of parliamentarians became members of the Verkhovna Rada for the first time.

“As a whole, Ukrainian youth is more active than representatives of the older generation in favor of reform and integration with the European Union, and thanks to the leading role of youth in civil society and economic innovation, it offers an important opportunity to further strengthen the concept of value-oriented Ukrainian citizenship,” specified in the document.

To achieve the goal of the program, USAID plans to expand the participation of young citizens in solving public problems, develop entrepreneurship and explore trends related to youth.

This program of the American agency goes beyond the scope of law, as it implies a direct impact on children, said Alexei Mukhin, director of the Center for Political Information, in an interview with RT.

“The United States has ceased to be shy and openly allocate funds for brainwashing. Moreover, now it is officially aimed at a children's audience. In my opinion, such a practice is illegal and has all the signs of interference in the affairs of a sovereign state. Whatever good wishes it may be, ”he said.

Senior researcher at the Center for European Studies of IMEMO RAS Vladimir Olenchenko, in turn, called attempts to influence the psyche of children immoral, noting that in the United States itself they protect the rights of citizens under 21 years of age.

“This is an immoral, rude impact. The psyche of the child is not protected, and this is recognized by the laws of all countries. Parents are responsible for the children. Has the USA secured the consent of the parents of young Ukrainians? The question is unceremonious, ”he commented.

The interlocutor of RT added that Washington is striving to create a contingent of residents in Ukraine that would “absorb” American ideas and values.

  • USAID
  • Reuters
  • © Wolfgang Ratay

A new generation of leaders

Under the UNITY program, the US agency will, in particular, support grants to organizations at the national and local levels, as well as the initiatives of socially excluded groups.

The project can be adapted depending on the circumstances, according to the document. In particular, his planning will include activities in regions that are currently not under the control of Kiev, if there "peace comes".

In addition, it is noted that part of the allocated funds should be in operational availability in the event of certain “challenges and unique opportunities”.

“Part of the grants should be allocated through the quick response pool in order to make best use of the unique opportunities or emerging challenges,” experts emphasize.

Politician Ivan Mezujo, in a conversation with RT, recalled that USAID-sponsored non-profit organizations took an active part in the coup in Ukraine in 2013-2014. Recipients of US grants are always ready to move to riots and anti-government actions, he said.

“Now we are talking about the next stage of work in Ukraine. Washington is investing in training a new generation of youth leaders. It's no secret that many activists of the Euromaidan after the coup d'etat discredited themselves. Some grant-eaters entered the previous composition of the Ukrainian parliament, but failed in the last election. The US understands that Ukrainian politics needs updates, ”the expert concluded.

Russia is again “to blame”

According to the US Agency for International Development, the new “Ukrainian values” have been threatened for six years due to “Russian propaganda” and opponents of European integration.

“After six years, these values ​​are still in jeopardy due to the polarizing society of malicious Russian propaganda and sowing rhetoric from opponents of Ukraine’s movement along the European route, as well as the continuation of the conflict in the Donbass and the annexation of Crimea,” explains in the document.

At the same time, the United States still refuses to recognize the results of the referendum among residents of the Crimea, as a result of which the peninsula became part of Russia.

Also, according to USAID, the Kremlin regularly “undermines” the reform process and “democratic consolidation” in Ukraine. Russia is allegedly trying to maintain its political, economic and military influence on the neighboring state, using tools such as direct military intervention, killings, cyber attacks, energy pressure and disinformation.

As Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov noted earlier, the West is trying to completely separate Kiev and Moscow, but there is "nothing pro-Ukrainian in this policy, everything is anti-Russian."

“We see that for the United States and a number of its satellites, talk of creating a single space of peace, security and stability in the Euro-Atlantic was a screen, a cover for continuing the archaic practice of capturing geopolitical space, moving dividing lines to the east - both through the expansion of NATO and as part of the implementation of the EU Eastern Partnership program, ”he said.

According to him, Kiev is forced to make a false choice between the West and the East - “with us or against us,” which ultimately led to the collapse of Ukrainian statehood. The Russian minister called this approach provocative and completely unacceptable in the modern world.

By setting Kiev against Moscow, the United States is displacing Ukraine from the natural path of development, said political analyst Vladimir Olenchenko. Washington uses its “partners” as an instrument of influence on Russia, but at the same time ignores the interests of the Ukrainian population.

“The United States can hook the top with its ideas. I do not want to use the word "buy." However, as soon as the source of financing runs out, Ukraine will return to its natural path of development, which it has followed for many years, ”the analyst suggested.

  • Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov
  • Flickr
  • © Russian Foreign Ministry

Pressure levers

The new youth project is far from the only US program in Ukraine. In January, it became known that Washington intends to allocate more than $ 22 million for a project to increase the "sustainability of Ukrainian democracy" through "innovative communication initiatives." It is about creating content that will attract citizens to discuss issues of European integration and reform. In particular, we are talking about documentaries, travel programs, reality shows, series.

In addition, the US State Department planned to train Ukrainian journalists and fight for human rights.

Last year, Kurt Walker, who served as US special envoy for Ukraine, said Washington hopes to "stay in Ukraine for a long time" to support a "prosperous and democratic" state.

Activist funding, NGOs, and civil society projects are some of the methods by which the States have largely controlled Kiev’s policies, said political analyst Ivan Mezyuho.

“The United States already has levers of pressure on the Ukrainian authorities, but there are few of them,” he added. “It is possible that Washington is preparing to replace the political elite of Ukraine if Zelensky’s team turns out to be naughty in relations with an overseas partner.”