WASHINGTON – Just as US and Ukrainian officials prepare to meet in Saudi Arabia this week, President Donald Trump has personally made clear to his aides that the signed mineral trade in Washington and Kiev is not enough to resume aid and intelligence sharing with war-torn countries.
Trump wants a deal to grant the US a shares in Ukraine’s mineral resources. However, he also wants to see a change in Ukrainian President Volodymi Zelenki’s attitude towards peace talks, including his willingness to make concessions, such as abandoning territory to Russia, officials said. Trump also hopes Zelensky will move towards an election in Ukraine and will likely resign as his country’s leader, officials said.
Elections in Ukraine are suspended under the constitutional provisions of martial law, which have been in effect since the Russian invasion in 2022.
“As President Trump read and demonstrated in a joint session, Ukrainians have made a positive move. When White House National Security Council spokesman Brian Hughes was asked about Trump’s requirements, we hope this week’s meeting in Saudi Arabia will ultimately end this brutal war.
Russia has stepped up its attack on Ukraine this week with the US pausing on equipment and information sharing, making it one of the deadliest days for civilians this year, intensifying its attack on Ukraine. Most of the victims occurred in the Donetsk region of the territory controlled by Ukraine. According to the watchdog, the number of casualties was higher than 2024 and higher than 2025.
According to US officials and executive officials, the US has no indication that the suspension of intelligence sharing directly affected the Russian attack. They said these massive attacks are likely planned before intelligence and aid halt.
Congressional Republicans are pressuring the White House to resume both aid and intelligence, and the two officials said they are optimistic about the flow of the Intelligence News next week, next week, after Zelenskyy pronounced Ukraine “is ready to come to the negotiate table as soon as possible.” The Ukrainian president also said that he and his team “will continue to peace as they are ready to work under President Trump’s strong leadership.”
Authorities said the US shares defensive intelligence with Ukraine, that is, information that supports self-defense against Ukraine’s attacks – is still an obligation to warn. However, they do not provide targeting information for Russian targets. That is, when intelligence shows that the Russians are preparing to attack, the US can warn Ukraine, but it cannot provide target coordinates for Ukraine to attack first.
For most of the past three years, the US has provided targeting information, satellite imagery and signal intelligence to Ukraine. While European allies are currently working to close some gaps, the lack of intelligence in the US is already affecting Ukraine every day.
“Every day hurts Ukraine, and every day gives Russia a more advantageous position,” the official said.
