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The United States has halted intelligence sharing with Ukraine following Donald Trump’s suspension of military aid, delivering another significant setback to Kyiv in its ongoing war with Russia.

The decision, announced on Monday, has raised concerns over Ukraine’s ability to effectively defend itself, particularly in conducting long-range drone strikes and monitoring Russian military movements.

White House officials indicated that both the suspension of aid and the intelligence-sharing freeze could be reversed if progress is made in peace talks. However, Ukrainian officials suggest that the sudden cutoff leaves them vulnerable, particularly as they rely on US intelligence for critical information about Russian strategic bomber aircraft and missile launches. Reports suggest conflicting accounts regarding whether intelligence on Russian army activities in occupied Ukrainian territories has also been affected.

A source familiar with the situation revealed that the US has “completely stopped” intelligence sharing, affecting both Ukraine’s military and domestic security agencies. The source emphasized that this development would have a “very bad impact” on Ukraine’s ability to counter Russian aggression. The decision has sparked questions about Washington’s long-term commitment to supporting Kyiv as Trump’s administration signals a shift in its approach to the conflict.

National Security Adviser Mike Waltz stated that Trump would consider restoring military aid and intelligence-sharing if Ukraine agreed to peace negotiations and took specific confidence-building measures.

He confirmed that discussions are ongoing between Washington and Kyiv regarding the logistics of a potential peace summit. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, in his nightly address on Wednesday, acknowledged that there had been “positive movement” in diplomatic discussions with the US and suggested that a meeting between Ukrainian and American officials was being arranged.

Zelenskyy is now working to repair ties with the Trump administration following a tense meeting last Friday with the US president and Vice President JD Vance. During that encounter, Trump publicly reprimanded Zelenskyy and accused him of resisting diplomatic efforts to end the war. Seeking to smooth relations, Zelenskyy sent a letter to Trump on Tuesday, expressing his commitment to negotiations and his readiness to work under the US president’s “strong leadership.” In a speech to Congress later that evening, Trump acknowledged the letter and described it as “important,” while also stating that the US has received “strong signals” from Russia that it is prepared for peace. “Wouldn’t that be beautiful?” he remarked.

Waltz characterized Zelenskyy’s letter as a “good, positive first step” and noted that talks about confidence-building measures were already underway. He emphasized that if negotiations with Russia progressed, Trump would “take a hard look at lifting this pause” on military support and intelligence sharing.

However, Ukrainian commentators remain skeptical, arguing that the US has not demanded any concessions from Russia and appears willing to accept Vladimir Putin’s conditions for a settlement. Putin has called for Ukraine to cede occupied territories, reduce the size of its military, and adopt a stance of neutrality under a new government—demands that Zelenskyy has previously rejected. Last week, the Ukrainian leader reiterated that Kyiv required security guarantees before engaging in peace talks, a demand that Trump categorically dismissed.

Confirming the intelligence-sharing suspension, CIA Director John Ratcliffe told Fox News that the freeze was intended as a temporary measure. He expressed confidence that cooperation between Washington and Kyiv would eventually resume, stating, “I think we’ll work shoulder to shoulder with Ukraine as we have to push back on the aggression that’s there.”

In the United Kingdom, Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s spokesperson declined to comment on intelligence matters but reaffirmed that the UK would continue doing everything possible to support Ukraine. British officials suggested that the intelligence-sharing restrictions would not impact their cooperation with Kyiv, but analysts argue that Washington’s move could still have significant consequences. While Ukraine has become increasingly self-reliant in gathering intelligence through open-source data and human sources, American satellite imagery and surveillance have played a crucial role in Ukraine’s military strategy.

One Western intelligence expert suggested that the actual impact of the US restrictions would depend on the specifics of what had been cut off. They pointed out that Ukraine has already been effective in targeting Russian infrastructure, such as oil refineries, without relying heavily on American intelligence. “Donald Trump might be surprised to find that when he pulls the levers, they have little impact,” the expert said.

However, a wider intelligence-sharing blockade, including the withholding of intercepts detailing Russian military strategies, could significantly impair Ukraine’s ability to respond effectively to Russian attacks.

The effects of US intelligence support were particularly evident in February 2022, when American agencies warned Ukraine about Russia’s attempt to seize the Hostomel airport, northwest of Kyiv. The warning allowed Ukraine to reinforce its defenses, preventing Russia from securing the airstrip, which had been intended as a key entry point for troops aiming to take control of the capital. Ukrainian defense officials now worry that without continued satellite data and reconnaissance, their ability to identify and strike Russian targets with precision will be significantly hampered.

As part of his broader efforts to restore relations with Washington, Zelenskyy has proposed signing a minerals deal with the US, a move Trump has described as an economic safeguard. Trump has argued that the presence of American workers in Ukraine’s mining sector could serve as a deterrent against further Russian aggression. Meanwhile, some Ukrainian analysts believe that offering concessions to the Trump administration will not be enough to reverse the damage already done.

Prominent Ukrainian journalist Kristina Berdynskykh criticized the Trump administration’s approach, arguing that Washington is applying pressure on Ukraine while not demanding any concessions from Russia. “Now, every day, there is some bad news for Ukraine from the US. And so far, there is no bad news for Russia, but the opposite,” she wrote.

Since US and Russian diplomats began engaging in Saudi Arabia-backed peace talks, Moscow has intensified its military assaults on Ukraine’s energy grid and civilian infrastructure. In a show of force marking the third anniversary of the full-scale invasion, Russia launched a record 267 drones last month, followed by another 181 on Wednesday, along with three missiles. The latest attacks resulted in the death of a 73-year-old man in the Odesa region and extensive damage to residential buildings.

With Ukraine now facing mounting pressure from both Moscow and Washington, the path ahead remains uncertain. While the Zelenskyy administration continues diplomatic efforts to rebuild ties with the US, the suspension of military aid and intelligence sharing raises critical questions about the future of American support for Ukraine in its fight against Russian aggression.