Trump raises pressure with end to intelligence sharing

US president delivers further blow to Ukraine’s defences

- TOM WATLING

The US has cut intelligence sharing with Ukraine, severely limiting the flow of vital information that Kyiv uses to defend itself from Russian attacks.

The latest blow comes after Donald Trump suspended military aid to Kyiv and despite the US leader boasting during an address to Congress on Tuesday about receiving a letter from the Ukrainian president expressing willingness to come to the negotiating table to end the three-year war.

“We have taken a step back and are pausing and reviewing all aspects of this relationship,” Mr Trump’s national security adviser Mike Waltz said.

The US has provided critical intelligence to Ukraine for its fight against Moscow’s forces, including information that helped thwart Vladimir Putin’s drive to seize Kyiv at the start of his fullscale invasion in February 2022.

Volodymyr Zelensky had on Tuesday night bowed to the intense pressure from Mr Trump, calling the White House spat “regrettable” in a statement while pledging to enter peace talks.

“There’s been positive movement. We are expecting first results next week,” Mr Zelensky said in a video address posted yesterday on social media.

Sources have told The Independent that should supplies of US Patriot missiles to Ukraine stop, the country would be unable to defend itself in a matter of days.

CIA director John Ratcliffe called the intelligence suspension a “pause” and said it came after the disastrous meeting in the Oval Office last Friday. Mr Ratcliffe said Mr Trump wanted to know that Mr Zelensky was serious about peace.

“On the military front and the intelligence front, the pause that allowed that to happen will go away, and I think we’ll work shoulder to shoulder with Ukraine as we have,” Mr Ratcliffe said.