The Trump administration has reportedly halted at least some intelligence sharing with Ukraine, a move that could significantly impact Kyiv’s defense against Russia’s ongoing invasion. According to a U.S. military official and statements from top Trump administration figures, the extent of the pause remains unclear.
National Security Adviser Mike Waltz and CIA Director John Ratcliffe confirmed on Wednesday that intelligence sharing has been limited. However, both suggested the restrictions may be lifted if President Donald Trump is convinced that Ukraine is making progress toward peace negotiations. The push for talks faced a setback after a tense Oval Office meeting on Friday between Trump, Vice President JD Vance, and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.
“We are pausing, assessing, looking at everything across our security relationship,” Waltz told CBS News. This comes after the administration also froze weapons deliveries to Ukraine, part of a broader effort to pressure Kyiv into negotiations.
Despite the pause, Waltz expressed optimism, citing a recent statement from Zelensky indicating his willingness to negotiate. “We are having good talks on location for the next round of negotiations, on delegations, on substance,” Waltz said, adding that movement could happen “in very short order.”
Following a call between Waltz and Zelensky’s chief of staff, Andriy Yermak, Ukrainian and U.S. officials have agreed to meet “in the near future” to discuss steps toward what Yermak called a “just and lasting peace.”
Ratcliffe echoed this sentiment on Fox Business, suggesting that intelligence sharing could soon resume. “You saw the response that President Zelensky put out,” he said. “So I think on the military front and the intelligence front, the pause that allowed that to happen, I think will go away.”
However, if the freeze continues, it could severely weaken Ukraine’s ability to defend itself. A source familiar with past intelligence sharing described the situation as dire. “Combined with the stopping of military assistance and foreign aid, it pretty much guarantees a Russian victory without there needing to be a peace deal.”
Russian officials have openly called for the U.S. to halt intelligence support to Ukraine. Andrei Kartapolov, a top Russian lawmaker, recently stated that such a move would “allow us to achieve results more quickly.”
Since Russia’s invasion in 2022, U.S. intelligence has been crucial in helping Ukraine repel attacks, providing details on Russian troop movements and intercepted communications. Early intelligence allowed Ukraine to thwart an airborne assault on Kyiv that could have led to the city’s capture.
Now, U.S. military officials report reduced surveillance flights and satellite coverage for Ukraine, potentially exposing its cities to greater risk from Russian missile strikes. Concerns are also mounting over whether Starlink, the satellite internet system controlled by Elon Musk, will continue operating, as it has been vital for Ukraine’s military communication.
For many in the intelligence and military community, the decision to limit intelligence sharing marks a troubling shift. One former intelligence official described it as a betrayal, saying, “We are abandoning our allies on the battlefield.”
