WASHINGTON, September 19 - RAPSI. The US Agency for International Development (USAID) will stop operating in Russia, according to a statement issued Tuesday by US State Department spokesperson Victoria Nuland.

"The United States recently received the Russian Government's decision to end USAID activities in the Russian Federation. We are extremely proud of what USAID has accomplished in Russia over the past two decades, and we will work with our partners and staff to responsibly end or transition USAID's programs," according to the press statement.

"While USAID's physical presence in Russia will come to an end, we remain committed to supporting democracy, human rights, and the development of a more robust civil society in Russia and look forward to continuing our cooperation with Russian non-governmental organizations," the statement reads further.

In a press briefing held later Tuesday, Nuland reiterated the US government's commitment to continuing its work with Russian NGOs, explaining, "we are committed to continuing to work with the nongovernmental sector, with the civil society sector in Russia. So we're going to look at other ways to do that..."

When asked her opinion on Russia's motivation, Nuland hinted that the issue may have been Russia's feeling-based on strong economic growth-that it no longer requires foreign aid.

In vowing the US government's commitment to continued support of human rights, democracy, and civil society in Russia, Nuland added, "We've been very upfront about our concerns about the human rights situation and some of these new legal moves in Russia, and we will continue to do so."

Nuland added that of the $2.7 billion USAID has contributed to Russian development in the past two decades, probably about one-third has been geared toward "democracy promotion and civil society."

The USAID was set up by John Kennedy in 1961. It is involved in supporting the development of the economy, healthcare, providing urgent humanitarian aid, assisting the prevention of conflicts and supporting the development of democracy in more than a hundred countries.

In answer to whether the United States is disappointed with the decision of the Russian authorities, Nuland said that it is up to each country to decide whether it should use USAID's services or not.