Former U.S. President Donald Trump announced on Sunday that the United States had “just about” lifted its suspension on intelligence sharing with Ukraine. He also expressed optimism regarding upcoming discussions with Ukrainian officials in Saudi Arabia.
When asked whether the intelligence freeze would be fully lifted, Trump responded, “We just about have. We just about have.”
The halt in intelligence sharing, initially imposed to pressure Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy into engaging in peace talks with Russia, had drawn criticism for potentially weakening Ukraine’s defenses against Russian missile strikes. The freeze followed a separate suspension of U.S. military aid to Kyiv.
U.S. officials are set to meet with a Ukrainian delegation in Saudi Arabia on Tuesday to discuss potential Ukrainian concessions that could lead to a resolution of the conflict. The fate of a minerals agreement between Washington and Kyiv—previously delayed due to tensions between Trump and Zelenskyy—will also be a key topic in the discussions.
Trump voiced confidence in the upcoming negotiations, stating, “We’re going to make a lot of progress, I believe, this week.”
Zelenskyy and Trump had been expected to finalize the minerals accord, which would grant the U.S. access to Ukraine’s strategic mineral resources. However, disagreements during Zelenskyy’s White House visit led to the deal being postponed.
Trump remains hopeful that Ukraine will move forward with the agreement, which Kyiv has linked to a potential U.S. security guarantee.
“They will sign the minerals deal, but I want them to want peace… They haven’t shown it to the extent they should,” he remarked.
Additionally, Trump stated that his administration was evaluating new tariffs on Russia while downplaying concerns over recent joint military exercises conducted by Russia, China, and Iran.
