The U.S. has stopped sharing military intelligence with Ukraine as part of its suspension of aid, the CIA’s director said on Wednesday, though media outlets reported that some information is still being sent through to Kyiv.
John Ratcliffe told the Fox Business TV station that President Donald Trump had called for a temporary suspension both of military aid and intelligence sharing as he “had a real question” about whether Ukraine’s president, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, “was committed to the peace process.”
Ratcliffe suggested that the Trump administration is likely to lift the suspension of intelligence sharing and military aid if Zelenskyy continues to demonstrate willingness to engage in the peace process.
Following a diplomatic row at the White House last week that preceded the suspensions, Zelenskyy has indicated that he is ready to work with Washington to find a peaceful resolution to his country’s war with Russia.
Meanwhile, the nature and extent of the U.S.’s withdrawal of intelligence remains unclear.
On Tuesday, the Daily Mail reported that British intelligence agencies and the military had “received an order expressly forbidding the sharing of U.S.-generated intelligence” with Ukraine.
The paper wrote that the ban applies to bodies such as GCHQ (the government communications headquarters), spy agencies, and intelligence branches of the Ministry of Defense.
However, the Financial Times reported that U.S. allies with intelligence clearance that have a presence in Ukraine are “likely to continue passing on relevant intelligence to Kyiv.”
Sky News claimed the U.S. intelligence cut-off was not total. The broadcaster reported that Washington had only ceased the flow of information that could enable strikes within Russia.
Sky News cited an unnamed Ukrainian source as saying the pause is “selective” and suggested information may still be shared to help in targeting Russian forces in occupied Ukrainian territory.
Reuters also cited an unnamed source as saying the intelligence had only been “partially” cut.
The FT reported that the nature of U.S. intelligence support to Ukraine is classified but cited analysts as saying it allowed Kyiv to receive live information on the enemy’s movements.
Trump’s security chief, Mike Waltz, said on Wednesday that the U.S. president would consider reinstating aid to Ukraine if Kyiv moves forward in the peace process.
Ratcliffe suggested that the Trump administration is likely to lift the suspension of intelligence sharing and military aid if Zelenskyy continues to demonstrate willingness to engage in the peace process.
Following a diplomatic row at the White House last week that preceded the suspensions, Zelenskyy has indicated that he is ready to work with Washington to find a peaceful resolution to his country’s war with Russia.
Meanwhile, the nature and extent of the U.S.’s withdrawal of intelligence remains unclear.
On Tuesday, the Daily Mail reported that British intelligence agencies and the military had “received an order expressly forbidding the sharing of U.S.-generated intelligence” with Ukraine.
The paper wrote that the ban applies to bodies such as GCHQ (the government communications headquarters), spy agencies, and intelligence branches of the Ministry of Defense.
However, the Financial Times reported that U.S. allies with intelligence clearance that have a presence in Ukraine are “likely to continue passing on relevant intelligence to Kyiv.”
Sky News claimed the U.S. intelligence cut-off was not total. The broadcaster reported that Washington had only ceased the flow of information that could enable strikes within Russia.
‘Selective’ suspension
Sky News cited an unnamed Ukrainian source as saying the pause is “selective” and suggested information may still be shared to help in targeting Russian forces in occupied Ukrainian territory.
Reuters also cited an unnamed source as saying the intelligence had only been “partially” cut.
The FT reported that the nature of U.S. intelligence support to Ukraine is classified but cited analysts as saying it allowed Kyiv to receive live information on the enemy’s movements.
Peace moves
Trump’s security chief, Mike Waltz, said on Wednesday that the U.S. president would consider reinstating aid to Ukraine if Kyiv moves forward in the peace process.
The national security advisor said that comments by Zelenskyy on Tuesday were a “good, positive first step” and that discussions are ongoing to set up peace talks.
Trump said the same day that Zelenskyy was ready to sign a minerals deal that is seen by Washington as a key condition to renew cooperation.
“We’re already talking about confidence-building measures that we'll then take to the Russians and test that side,” Waltz said in an interview with the ‘Fox & Friends’ U.S. TV program.
“I think if we can nail down these negotiations and move towards these negotiations, and in fact, put some confidence-building measures on the table, then the president will take a hard look at lifting this pause,” Waltz said.
“We have to know that both sides are sincerely negotiating towards a partial, then a permanent, peace.”
Trump said the same day that Zelenskyy was ready to sign a minerals deal that is seen by Washington as a key condition to renew cooperation.
“We’re already talking about confidence-building measures that we'll then take to the Russians and test that side,” Waltz said in an interview with the ‘Fox & Friends’ U.S. TV program.
“I think if we can nail down these negotiations and move towards these negotiations, and in fact, put some confidence-building measures on the table, then the president will take a hard look at lifting this pause,” Waltz said.
“We have to know that both sides are sincerely negotiating towards a partial, then a permanent, peace.”
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