Zelenskyy confirms US warned it could suspend intelligence sharing with Ukraine
Photo: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy (Getty Images)
The US warned Ukraine that it could stop sharing intelligence over strikes on Russian oil refineries. This comes amid a new escalation in tensions between Kyiv and Washington, according to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s interview with NPR.
According to Zelenskyy, Washington indicated that it could reconsider intelligence cooperation if Ukraine continued attacking Russian oil refineries. At the same time, the president stressed that Kyiv strikes Russian energy and logistics facilities to weaken Russia’s ability to wage war.
Ukraine wants hostilities to end but does not intend to abandon such attacks as long as Russia continues striking Ukrainian energy infrastructure. Zelenskyy also said that Russian President Vladimir Putin does not respond to diplomatic efforts in the way Ukraine’s partners expect.
"He understands force," Zelenskyy stressed.
What the US said
The White House did not directly comment to NPR on whether the Trump administration had threatened to suspend intelligence sharing with Ukraine again. Instead, reporters were referred to the US president’s recent remarks.
Trump said the US continues to help Ukraine and share intelligence, and is working with Kyiv and Moscow to end the war.
Last year, Washington had already suspended intelligence sharing with Ukraine amid escalating tensions between Trump and Zelenskyy.
Earlier, Axios reported, citing a Ukrainian official, that during negotiations, the US side threatened to stop providing Ukraine with intelligence if the Defense Forces did not halt strikes on Russian oil refineries.
At the same time, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha said at the Warsaw Security Forum that intelligence sharing between Ukraine and the US was continuing despite tensions in relations with Washington.
