- By Imran Zafar
- Wed, 05 Mar 2025 10:21 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
The United States halted intelligence-sharing with Ukraine, a move that could significantly impact Kyiv’s ability to target Russian forces, CIA Director John Ratcliffe confirmed on Wednesday. The decision underscores the Trump administration’s strategy of pressuring Ukraine into peace talks with Russia.
US President Donald Trump revealed on Tuesday that he received a letter from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy expressing his readiness to engage in negotiations over the ongoing war. CIA Director John Ratcliffe, speaking to Fox Business Network, indicated that the pause in military and intelligence support might soon be lifted. “I think we’ll continue working with Ukraine to counter aggression, but also facilitate peace negotiations,” he said.
While three Reuters sources confirmed the intelligence-sharing suspension, the scale of the reduction remains uncertain. One source of the news agency noted that intelligence-sharing had been “partially” restricted but provided no further details. Since the war began in 2022, the US has supplied Ukraine with vital intelligence, including crucial targeting information for its military.
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National Security Adviser Mike Waltz acknowledged on Wednesday that the US had “taken a step back” and was reassessing its intelligence-sharing relationship with Ukraine. He added that discussions were ongoing regarding a minerals deal and broader peace talks with Russia. “I think we’re going to see movement in very short order,” Waltz said.
In addition to cutting intelligence-sharing, the Trump administration suspended military aid to Ukraine on Monday, further pressuring Zelenskyy to negotiate. It remains unclear whether assistance will resume following Zelenskyy’s outreach to Trump.
Meanwhile, Ukrainian forces continue their efforts to resist Russian advances along the 1,000-kilometre front line, particularly in the eastern Donetsk region. Despite suffering heavy casualties, Russian troops have yet to achieve a decisive breakthrough. The war has already
