Ukraine is on the verge of regaining access to US Intelligence information, something as crucial or even more so than weapons and ammunition to resist Russia's invasion. This week, Donald Trump ordered to cut it off as retaliation and as a pressure tactic on President Volodymyr Zelensky, following their clash at the White House. This left the country blind and deaf to many of the Russian bombings. This "pause," as the CIA director described it, may be coming to an end.
In just a few hours, not only did Intelligence services stop cooperating with Kiev in real-time, but Washington even restricted access to various private satellite image services, allowing Moscow to launch missiles with much more freedom and fewer chances of interception. "We have taken a step back and are pausing and reviewing all aspects of this relationship," said National Security Advisor Mike Waltz on Wednesday. "They brought this upon themselves," even said General Kellogg, perhaps the most pro-Ukrainian within an administration that has made a historic shift towards Russia.
This Sunday, on his flight back to Washington after spending the weekend at his Florida residence playing golf, Trump responded to questions from accompanying journalists, explaining that his government has largely lifted the ban on sharing vital information, aiming to push both Kiev and Moscow to the negotiation table to promptly sign a peace agreement. "Well, we are about to do it (...) We want to do everything possible for Ukraine to take seriously the idea of doing something," he added.
The president's message was not entirely clear, amidst criticisms of Ukraine, its leader, and even the media that asked him if he considered Putin's continued bombings equally disrespectful while he is calling for a ceasefire. "You have lost a lot of credibility," he responded to The Washington Post when posed with that dilemma.
On Friday, for the first time, Trump lashed out at Moscow, threatening with "tariffs and sanctions," after noting that the attacks continue and seeing no willingness for peace. But at the same time, he said it was harder to communicate with Kiev than with Putin, largely excusing their behavior, saying that "anyone in their place would do the same," and emphasizing their good relationship with Russia, despite then stating that they are carrying out the most brutal bombings.
During the past few days, American officials assured they would continue providing Intelligence to protect their forces, but a series of missile attacks by Russia resulted in deaths and destruction that were hard to digest in Washington. Therefore, all eyes are currently on Saudi Arabia, where the next round of talks between the American, Ukrainian, and possibly Russian delegations will take place, although nothing is scheduled.
"I think we will make a lot of progress this week," said Trump on the plane, praising his team led by Secretary of State Marco Rubio and National Security Advisor Mike Waltz. "I think we will have a good outcome at the Saudi Arabia meeting. They are hosting the various discussions, and we have a lot of good people who will be there. I think Ukraine will do well, and I think Russia will. I think very important things could happen this week. That's what I hope. At least 2,000 young soldiers have died this week, and this is almost constant, a couple of thousand soldiers per week. It's a slaughterhouse, and we have to stop it. And if I can stop it, I will be very happy," he concluded.
Also asked about the minerals agreement with the United States that was supposed to be signed 10 days ago at the White House, before the clash on camera, Trump said he believes it will be done soon, but criticized that if Ukraine wants peace, as Zelensky has reiterated in every possible way these days to appease Trump's anger, for now, "they have not shown it to the extent they should. But I think they will, and I think it will become evident in the next two or three days," he concluded.
The threat of abandoning Ukraine has been looming for days, even over Starlink, Elon Musk's satellite service, which is essential now for both internet access and communications near the frontlines. In a message on the X network, Polish Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski criticized the world's richest man, saying that "Starlinks for Ukraine are funded by the Polish Ministry of Digitalization at a cost of about $50 million a year. Setting aside the ethics of threatening the victim of an aggression, if SpaceX proves to be an unreliable provider, we will be forced to seek other suppliers."
The entire administration came out swinging. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said that these were "inventions" and that "no one has threatened to cut off Ukraine's access to Starlink. And be thankful because without Starlink, Ukraine would have lost this war a long time ago, and the Russians would be at the border with Poland right now," he added, overlooking that both countries already share a border. Musk himself joined in by insulting Sikorski and stating that they neither pay the full cost nor have viable alternatives to his service.