CIA Director John Ratcliffe says the US has paused intelligence-sharing with Ukraine, piling pressure on Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to cooperate with US President Donald Trump in convening peace talks with Russia.
The suspension, which could cost lives by hurting Ukraine's ability to defend itself against Russian missile strikes, followed a halt this week to US military aid to Kyiv.
It underscores Trump's willingness to play hardball with an ally as he pivots to a more conciliatory approach to Moscow from previously strong US support for Ukraine.
The pressure appears to have worked, with Trump saying that he received a letter from Zelenskyy on Tuesday, in which the Ukrainian leader said he was willing to come to the negotiating table.
"I think on the military front and the intelligence front, the pause I think will go away," Ratcliffe told Fox Business Network.
"I think we'll work shoulder to shoulder with Ukraine as we have to push back on the aggression that's there, but to put the world in a better place for these peace negotiations to move forward," he said.
A source familiar with the situation, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the Trump administration had halted "everything", including targeting data Ukraine has used to strike Russian targets.
Washington on Monday halted military aid to Kyiv following a disastrous Oval Office meeting on Friday, during which Trump and Zelenskyy engaged in a shouting match before the world's media.
The clash delayed signing a deal that would give the US rights to revenue from Ukraine's critical mineral deposits, which Trump has demanded to repay US military aid.
On Wednesday, Zelenskyy said there had been a "positive movement" on the issue, and officials from the two countries could meet again soon.
The White House said it is reconsidering its pause in funding for Ukraine, and talks between the two countries over a minerals deal were ongoing.
A senior administration official said that the signing was expected to happen soon and that it would be the first step in a more extended negotiation between Ukraine, Washington, and Russia to end the war.
The Ukrainian embassy in Washington and Ukraine's foreign ministry did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
In an address to Congress on Tuesday evening, Trump said Kyiv was ready to sign a minerals deal.
Trump also said he had been in "serious discussions with Russia" and received strong signals that it was ready for peace.
"It's time to end this senseless war. If you want to end wars, you have to talk to both sides," he said.
With AAP.
