Washington, D.C. — The United States has halted arms deliveries and intelligence sharing with Ukraine, CIA Director John Ratcliffe confirmed following a recent Oval Office meeting.
The suspension, aimed at pressuring Ukraine to pursue peace negotiations with Russia, was first reported by Fox News White House correspondent Edward Lawrence on Twitter.
Ratcliffe expressed hope that the pause would be temporary, pending a formal letter to President Joe Biden, and that U.S. support would resume if progress toward peace is demonstrated.
The decision comes amid reports by the British tabloid Daily Mail that the U.S. has prohibited the United Kingdom from sharing intelligence gathered by Washington with Ukraine.
This measure, known as “Rel UKR,” has also impacted UK intelligence agencies such as the Government Communications Headquarters (GCHQ) and military intelligence branches.
In addition, the U.S. has directed other Western partners, including Australia and New Zealand, to suspend intelligence sharing with Ukraine, a practice that had been in place since Russia’s full-scale invasion in 2022.
The suspension of military aid is directly tied to U.S. President Donald Trump’s demand for a clear demonstration of Ukraine’s commitment to peace talks with Russia.
According to The Wall Street Journal, the aid will remain on hold until Trump is convinced that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is committed to meaningful negotiations.
Zelensky has publicly expressed his willingness to engage in talks, reportedly proposing a deal involving Ukrainian mineral resources in exchange for continued U.S. assistance.
However, U.S. officials remain uncertain about the sufficiency of this offer to prompt a resumption of military support.
Trump’s decision appears to be motivated by his perception that Zelensky has not taken adequate steps to initiate dialogue with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
The pause is intended to pressure Kyiv into prioritizing diplomatic efforts over military actions. Meanwhile, European allies are striving to maintain their support for Ukraine while also urging Zelensky to mend relations with Trump.
EU leaders, alongside Zelensky, have emphasized the necessity of U.S. security guarantees for any viable peace agreement. Nevertheless, Trump has stated that he will only consider such commitments once a ceasefire is established between Ukraine and Russia.
In a speech to Congress, Trump referenced a recent letter from Zelensky, which echoed the Ukrainian president’s earlier statements on social media.
While Trump did not specifically address the proposed minerals deal, his broader stance suggests that future U.S. military assistance will remain conditional on tangible steps toward achieving peace.
The suspension of U.S. support marks a significant shift in policy and raises concerns about Ukraine’s ability to sustain its defense against Russian aggression.
Analysts warn that the pause could embolden Moscow’s military actions while diminishing Kyiv’s negotiating leverage.
As the international community watches closely, the outcome of this diplomatic gambit may shape the trajectory of the conflict and the broader balance of power in Eastern Europe.
