THE White House confirmed it has stopped sharing “all” intelligence with Ukraine – with the decision coming as Zelensky offered a hopeful olive branch letter to Trump.
CIA director John Ratcliffe confirmed the pause in intelligence as well as military aid but said that he believes the temporary action “will go away soon”.
SplashUS President Donald J. Trump has stopped all intelligence aid going to Ukraine[/caption]
AFPZelensky faces the blow as he offered a letter of intent to peace to Trump[/caption]
EPAThe pause will affect Ukraine’s military ability on the front line in regions like Donetsk, pictured[/caption]
The order, which also applies to all UK intelligence agencies and military outlets, revokes the “Rel UKR” classification – previously allowing Britain to pass on US-made intelligence to Ukraine.
The move is another blow to Kyiv who recently had all US military aid paused after a White House bust-up between Trump and Zelensky.
The CIA director added: “I think we’ll work shoulder to shoulder with Ukraine, as we have, to push back on the aggression that’s there and put the world in a better place for these peace negotiations to move forwards.”
US National Security Adviser Mike Waltz confirmed the move, telling reporters: “We have taken a step back, and are pausing and reviewing all aspects of this relationship.”
A Ukrainian source said that initially the pause on intelligence had been selective, but that now “the exchange of all information was stopped”.
The ban affects GCHQ, the Ministry of Defence’s intelligence branches, and other UK security agencies, potentially hindering Ukraine’s battlefield tactics against Russia.
It comes just hours after Trump’s fiery address to Congress where he confirmed that all military aid to Ukraine would stop on a “temporary pause”.
It was hoped that he might announce that a deal had finally been signed, but it did not crystallise.
The Don, in front of many protesting Democrats throughout Congress, said: “America must focus on American interests.”
SplashDonald Trump did not announce a minerals peace deal at his speech to Congress[/caption]
The Mega AgencyThe military and intelligence aid pause comes after a blowout in the White House between the two leaders[/caption]
GettyThe pause in aid may limit Ukraine’s ability to defend itself from shelling in cities such as Kyiv, pictured[/caption]
UK military intelligence expert Phil Ingram told the Daily Mail: “The United States’s instruction to stop allies sharing US-derived intelligence with Ukraine is what I would expect.
“The US’s intelligence partners, including Britain, have had their authority to pass on intelligence revoked.
“The US will tightly control distribution of its intelligence to Ukraine through agencies based in Kyiv.”
On Tuesday, President Zelensky offered to mend their relationship on Tuesday by posting a social media video where he called the encounter “regrettable”, but did not go as far as apologising.
He also spelled out a vision on how Russia‘s war with Ukraine could end, affirmed that Ukraine is committed to peace and stated he was ready to negotiate as soon as possible.
The Ukrainian President said: “We are ready to work fast to end the war, and the first stages could be the release of prisoners and truce in the sky – ban on missiles, long-ranged drones, bombs on energy and other civilian infrastructure – and truce in the sea immediately, if Russia will do the same.”
He praised Trump’s “strong leadership” and repeated his gratitude for US support – seemingly appealing to criticism from Trump’s Vice President JD Vance who criticised the Ukrainian leader for not saying “thank you” enough.
French President Macron met Zelensky and Starmer last weekend for a summitEPA
AlamyThe Lancaster House summit saw European leaders pour in support for the Ukrainian President after his disastrous White House meeting[/caption] Published: [#item_custom_pubDate]
