Tuesday, September 18, 2012

The United States says Russia is ending the U.S. Agency for International Development's aid operations in the country, dealing a blow to President Barack Obama's policy of "resetting" relations between Washington and Moscow.

State Department spokeswoman Victoria Nuland says Russia informed the U.S. of its decision last week and that USAID's office there would be closing. She didn't cite a reason for Russia's decision, but the Kremlin has long complained about U.S. democracy and human rights promotion efforts.

The aid agency says it worked in Russia for two decades promoting "a more open and innovative society and a strengthened partnership between Russia and the United States." It spent more than $2.6 billion on social and economic programs.