Washington, March 5, 2025 – The Europe Today: The United States has paused intelligence support and weapons shipments to Ukraine following a tense exchange between President Volodymyr Zelensky and US President Donald Trump in the Oval Office last Friday, CIA Director John Ratcliffe confirmed on Wednesday.
Speaking in an interview with Fox Business’ Maria Bartiromo, Ratcliffe stated that President Trump questioned Zelensky’s commitment to the peace process and decided to impose a temporary halt. “Trump had a real question about whether President Zelensky was committed to the peace process, and he said let’s pause,” Ratcliffe explained.
Ratcliffe, however, expressed optimism that the suspension would soon be lifted, following a letter from Zelensky to Trump. He emphasized the US’s commitment to working alongside Ukraine in countering aggression and advancing peace negotiations. “I think we’ll work shoulder to shoulder with Ukraine as we have to push back on the aggression that’s there, putting the world in a better place for these peace negotiations to move forward,” he added.
A senior US military official disclosed that the pause has already affected intelligence sharing, including reduced intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance flights, which are crucial to Ukraine’s air defense and military operations. Since Ukraine heavily relies on US intelligence for battlefield oversight, this development could have strategic implications.
Ahead of Trump’s inauguration, US officials had briefed Ratcliffe and the Trump transition team on the significance of intelligence sharing with Ukraine, highlighting its role in Ukraine’s battlefield successes, a source familiar with the discussions revealed.
While the duration of the pause remains uncertain, Ratcliffe’s remarks suggest a potential resumption of support, contingent on Ukraine’s stance in the ongoing peace process.
