U.S. stops sharing intelligence with Ukraine, pushes Zelensky toward peace talks
By isabelle // 2025-03-05
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  • The Trump administration halted intelligence sharing and military aid to Ukraine after a tense Oval Office meeting between Trump and Zelensky.
  • The pause aims to pressure Ukraine into peace negotiations with Russia, with Zelensky signaling readiness to negotiate.
  • Ukraine's defense capabilities are at risk as it heavily relies on U.S. intelligence to counter Russian military advances.
  • Critics argue the aid freeze undermines Ukraine, while supporters view it as a pragmatic move to end the conflict.
  • The pause has successfully pushed Ukraine toward peace talks, with the U.S. hinting at resuming aid if progress is made.
The Trump administration has halted intelligence sharing and military aid to Kyiv following last week's heated Oval Office meeting between President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. The decision, confirmed by CIA Director John Ratcliffe on Wednesday, marks a significant shift in U.S. policy toward the war-torn nation, which has relied heavily on American support in its three-year conflict with Russia. The dramatic pause in intelligence sharing and military assistance came after a public feud between Trump and Zelensky over a joint economic investment deal involving rare-earth minerals. The disagreement escalated last Friday when Trump abruptly ended Zelensky’s White House visit, leaving the Ukrainian leader without a signed agreement. Ratcliffe later revealed that Trump had ordered the pause to assess whether Zelensky was “committed to the peace process.”

A strategic pause to push for peace

The decision to halt intelligence sharing and military aid underscores the Trump administration’s willingness to play hardball with allies to achieve its foreign policy goals. Ratcliffe praised the move as necessary to advance peace negotiations, stating, “You saw the response — that President Zelensky put out a statement saying, ‘I’m ready for peace and I want Donald Trump’s leadership to bring about that peace.’” The pause appears to have had its intended effect. Just days after the White House meeting, Zelensky sent a letter to Trump expressing Ukraine’s readiness to negotiate with Russia. National Security Adviser Mike Waltz indicated that the aid freeze could be lifted if peace talks progress, telling Fox News, “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.”

The impact on Ukraine’s war effort

Ukraine has relied on U.S. intelligence since Russia’s invasion in 2022, using American-provided data to track Russian military movements and thwart attacks. The sudden halt in intelligence sharing could severely hamper Kyiv’s ability to defend itself, particularly as Russian forces continue their advance. Sources familiar with the situation confirmed that the U.S. has scaled back its intelligence-sharing efforts, including reducing surveillance flights and satellite coverage. One source described the situation as “pretty bad,” adding that the combined freeze on military aid and intelligence “pretty much guarantees a Russian victory without there needing to be a peace deal.” Despite the pause, Ukrainian officials have continued to share information with their American counterparts, according to a source close to the matter. However, the extent of the intelligence-sharing freeze remains unclear, with some officials suggesting that only non-essential information has been withheld.

Trump’s tough tactics pay off

The Trump administration’s decision to cut off aid and intelligence has drawn criticism from some U.S. officials, who argue that it undermines Ukraine’s ability to resist Russian aggression. However, the move has also been praised as a pragmatic approach to ending a costly and protracted conflict. Trump’s willingness to leverage U.S. support to force Ukraine to the negotiating table reflects his broader foreign policy philosophy of prioritizing American interests and avoiding endless wars. In a speech before Congress on Tuesday, Trump expressed appreciation for Zelensky’s letter but stopped short of setting a date for further talks. The pause in intelligence sharing and military aid has also sent a clear message to Moscow. Russian lawmaker Andrei Kartapolov recently called for the U.S. to stop providing Ukraine with intelligence, stating that such a move would allow Russia to achieve its objectives more quickly. While the freeze on intelligence sharing and military aid has raised concerns about Ukraine’s ability to defend itself, it has also succeeded in bringing Zelensky to the negotiating table. Ratcliffe suggested that the pause would soon be lifted, stating, “I think we’ll work shoulder to shoulder with Ukraine, as we have, to push back on the aggression that’s there.” As the Trump administration continues to push for peace, the decision to halt aid and intelligence sharing serves as a reminder of the high-stakes diplomacy required to end one of Europe’s most devastating conflicts. For now, it appears that Trump’s tough tactics have worked, bringing Ukraine closer to negotiations than ever before. Sources for this article include: NYPost.com CNN.com Reuters.com
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