US cuts off intelligence-sharing with Ukraine
The United States has cut off intelligence-sharing with Kyiv, CIA director John Ratcliffe says, in a move that could seriously hamper the Ukrainian military’s ability to target Russian forces.
The decision announced on Thursday (AEDT) to cut off intelligence-sharing and military aid to Ukraine starkly illustrates the Trump administration’s willingness to play hardball with an ally to force it to the negotiating table.
US President Donald Trump said on Tuesday (local time) he received a letter from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in which the Ukrainian leader expressed willingness to come to the negotiating table over the Russia-Ukraine war.
“I think on the military front and the intelligence front, the pause [that prompted Zelensky to respond] I think will go away,” Ratcliffe told Fox Business Network.
“I think we’ll work shoulder-to-shoulder with Ukraine as we have to push back on the aggression that’s there, but to put the world in a better place for these peace negotiations to move forward,” he said.
Three sources familiar with the situation also confirmed that US intelligence-sharing had stopped. It was not immediately clear to what extent the US had cut back on the sharing.
One said intelligence-sharing had only “partially” been cut, but was unable to provide more detail.
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Since Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022, the US has provided Kyiv with significant intelligence, including critical information its military needs for targeting purposes.
US national security adviser Mike Waltz said Washington “had taken a step back” and the administration was “reviewing all aspects” of its intelligence relationship with Ukraine.
Waltz also said the US was actively engaged in talks with Ukraine about moving negotiations forward on a minerals deal and a potential peace deal with Russia.
“I think we’re going to see movement in very short order,” he said.
