Trump administration officials confirmed Wednesday that the White House suspended sharing intelligence news with Ukraine in the war with Russia as part of a review of broader support for Kiev.
CIA director John Ratcliffe and national security adviser Michael Waltz both said the US has suspended intelligence news sharing in addition to military aid. Critics argued that these moves severely hinder Ukraine’s ability to dodge Russian military aggression, but Trump authorities expressed optimism that negotiations will soon resume with Ukraine on the path to end the war.
“We’re taking a step back and suspending and reviewing every aspect of this relationship,” Waltz told reporters.
“But I got off the phone before I left here with my counterpart, Ukrainian National Security Advisor. We have a good discussion about the next negotiation, delegation and the location of the entity.
Ratcliffe spoke about “Morning and Maria” on the Fox Business Network, saying the Trump administration’s suspension is intended to reconsider Ukrainian President Voldymi Zelensky’s interest in peace negotiations to end the war.
Ratcliffe proposed Zelensky’s reconciliatory message on Monday. He said Ukrainians wanted peace and were ready to sign a mineral trade with the US, indicating that this approach was effective.
“I think there’s the pause that allowed it to happen on the military front and the intelligence front, and I think we’ll work side by side with Ukraine because we have to push back the attacks that are there, but to put the world in a better place for these peace negotiations to move forward,” Ratcliffe said.
President Trump is calling for an end to the war in Ukraine and speaks to both Zelensky and Russian President Vladimir Putin. But Trump and Zelensky clashed at an oval office meeting last week, urging the US to cut off aid to Ukraine.
In his speech to Parliament on Tuesday, Trump heard a more welcome note, citing the outreach of Ukrainian leaders.
