Washington, Mar 6, (V7N) – U.S. officials confirmed Wednesday that the U.S. is withholding crucial wartime intelligence from Ukraine to pressure President Volodymyr Zelenskyy into peace talks with Russia, aligning with President Donald Trump's terms. CIA Director John Ratcliffe confirmed the decision in an interview, stating intelligence sharing and U.S. military assistance had been temporarily paused to push Ukraine toward more fully cooperating with Trump's goal of ending the war.
The decision has sparked outrage among Democratic lawmakers, who argue that halting intelligence support could endanger Ukrainian soldiers and civilians as Russia continues its military offensive. Intelligence has been vital to Ukraine's defense, including providing data for targeting Russian military positions.
Trump's national security adviser, Mike Waltz, suggested assistance might resume if Ukraine agrees to peace talks and confidence-building measures. However, Senate and House Intelligence Committee leaders condemned the move, stating that cutting intelligence support would cost lives, as it has been crucial in saving lives and countering Russian aggression since the beginning of the conflict in February 2022.
Senator Mark Warner (D-Va.) and Representative Jim Himes (D-Conn.) called for an immediate end to the pause, stressing the importance of intelligence sharing in Ukraine's defense efforts.
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