Trump Says US Has "Almost" Ended Pause on Ukraine Intel Sharing

Aboard Air Force  ONE, March 9 (Reuters)  U.S. President Donald Trump said on Sunday that the US had "just about" ended a suspension of intelligence cooperation with Ukraine and that he anticipates positive outcomes from planned talks with Ukrainian officials in Saudi Arabia.

 

When asked if he would consider lifting the suspension, Trump replied, 

"We just about have.  "We are almost there."

 

On Wednesday, CIA Director John Ratcliffe announced that the United States had ceased information sharing with Ukraine, putting pressure on Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy to work with Trump to convene peace negotiations with Russia.

The suspension, which could cost lives by reducing Ukraine's ability to defend itself against Russian missile strikes, came after the United States halted military supplies to Kyiv.

 

U.S. officials will meet with a Ukrainian delegation in Saudi Arabia on Tuesday to determine whether Ukraine is willing to make material concessions to Russia to stop the war. The fate of a mining deal between Washington and Kyiv is also being discussed in Jeddah.

Trump expressed hope about the discussions.  "We're going to make a lot of progress, I believe, this week," he told me.

 

Zelenskiy and Trump were supposed to sign the minerals treaty, granting the US access to specific mineral resources in Ukraine. Still, Zelenskiy's White House visit devolved into a scuffle between the two leaders, and the agreement was not signed.

 

Trump said on Sunday that he expected Ukraine to sign the minerals pact, which Ukraine wants to include a U.S. security guarantee.

 

"They will sign the minerals agreement, but I want them to desire peace...  "They haven't demonstrated it to the extent they should," he remarked.

Trump also stated that his administration is considering a variety of levies on Russia and that officials are unconcerned about military exercises involving Russia, China, and Iran.