U.S. Intelligence Sharing with Ukraine Temporarily Halted Amid Trump's Peace Plan

As President Trump pauses military assistance to Ukraine, C.I.A. Director John Ratcliffe emphasizes that the halt in intelligence sharing aims to encourage Ukrainian President Zelensky to align with U.S. peace efforts in the ongoing conflict with Russia.

The C.I.A. director, John Ratcliffe, announced on March 5, 2025, that intelligence sharing between the U.S. and Ukraine has been temporarily paused, a decision coinciding with a halt in military aid. This strategy, according to Trump administration officials, is intended to apply pressure on Ukraine's government to adhere to President Trump's outlined plans to facilitate peace with Russia.

In a discussion on Fox Business, Ratcliffe praised Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky's recent comments, which expressed support for Trump’s leadership in seeking peace. According to Ratcliffe, Zelensky’s acknowledgment reflects a readiness to collaborate on peace efforts, which may lead to the resumption of intelligence assistance.

Amid the administration's decision to halt military funds, conflicting reports emerged regarding the status of intelligence sharing. Some officials asserted that information critical for the protection of Ukrainian troops would continue, while others claimed most intelligence exchanges were either frozen or significantly limited.

According to sources within the administration, this pause in support serves as a warning signal to Ukraine regarding the necessity of cooperation with Trump's ongoing peace negotiations. The exact details of Trump's peace proposals remain unclear, fueling speculation especially as the former president has suggested favorable views of Russia's President Vladimir Putin. Meanwhile, European nations are reportedly working on an independent strategy to unify the interests of both U.S. and Ukrainian leadership in resolving the conflict.