The United States has not ceased sharing intelligence with Ukraine, according to President Donald Trump, who made the statement on Tuesday following a news report that suggested the administration threatened to withhold intelligence if Ukrainian strikes on Russian oil refineries continued. Trump stated, "We help them, but we’re really helping them get to a final answer," during an interview with Fox News correspondent Peter Doocy. He emphasized the goal of ending the war and mentioned ongoing cooperation with both Ukraine and Russia.
During the press briefing, White House press secretary Katie Zacharia was asked about the intelligence sharing, to which she responded that she would need to follow up on the question. Earlier, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky noted that Ukraine did not receive an early warning regarding a recent Russian strike on Kyiv but did not assign blame to the U.S. or any other allies for this oversight.
Ukrainian Foreign Affairs Minister Andrii Sybiha also confirmed that Kyiv continues to receive intelligence data from the U.S. On Sunday, Trump announced a ceasefire agreement between Ukraine and Russia concerning energy facilities, which Zelensky claimed Ukraine adhered to, while accusing Russia of continuing attacks on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure.
Russian President Vladimir Putin has not commented directly on the ceasefire, with the Kremlin stating that discussions on the matter are ongoing. Trump maintained that the ceasefire was holding, despite evidence to the contrary, asserting, "They agreed because I said they agree."
In his remarks, Trump also clarified his previous statement that Putin wants to make a deal more than Zelensky, asserting that both leaders desire an end to the conflict but struggle to achieve it. He criticized Ukraine for targeting Russian energy infrastructure and called for new leadership in Kyiv. Zelensky expressed willingness to hold elections in Ukraine contingent on a two-month ceasefire, a proposal that the Kremlin has rejected.
Additionally, Trump spoke with Putin last week regarding the Russia-Ukraine war and announced an agreement that would allow Russia to supply the U.S. and global markets with up to 4.8 million metric tons of imported diesel, a move aimed at reducing rising oil prices ahead of the upcoming midterm elections. Trump has recently attributed high oil prices to the Russia-Ukraine conflict rather than the situation in Iran.