FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
March 5, 2025
Contact: press@defensepriorities.org
WASHINGTON, DC—Today, CIA director John Ratcliffe announced that the U.S. is pausing intelligence sharing with Ukraine. Defense Priorities Director of Military Analysis Jennifer Kavanagh issued the following statement in response:
“In the past few days, the Trump administration has paused both military aid and some types of intelligence sharing with Ukraine. President Donald Trump’s team has been quick to emphasize that the moves are only temporary, aimed at pressuring Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to support a U.S.-led peace process without preconditions.
“But Trump and his advisors should not be afraid to make all or some of the new limitations permanent, whether or not Zelensky agrees to accept Trump’s terms. Reducing U.S. involvement in the war should be Trump’s top priority, at least equal in importance to brokering a long-term peace deal between the two warring parties. Not only would a smaller U.S. role conserve scarce U.S. military resources for higher priority challenges, but it would shrink the looming risk of direct conflict with Russia, which persists as long as the U.S. is deeply engaged in Ukraine.
“U.S. interests in Ukraine are limited and, for the most part, have already been met. Russia has failed to achieve its primary war aim of seizing Kyiv and controlling Ukraine, and Western military aid helped Ukraine’s army impose devastating costs on Russia’s armed forces. Though Ukraine’s continued sovereignty and long-term security would, of course, be the best outcome for the United States, neither is a core U.S. interest. Separated from Europe by an ocean and thousands of miles, U.S. security is well-insulated from events in Ukraine.
“Peace is desirable but it is not required for the United States to de-escalate its involvement. Ukraine’s leaders have indicated that while U.S. support is vital, Kyiv can continue the war effort without U.S. assistance. They are right. Ukraine can indigenously produce some weapons, and Europe may continue providing some military and intelligence support. The Trump administration can choose to wind down its assistance for good and let Kyiv work directly with Russia to end the war when it is ready—without sacrificing or putting U.S. interests at risk.
“Trump and his team have made clear that they are eager to permanently end U.S. military commitments in Ukraine and hand the burden to Europe. They should keep in mind that the best way to safeguard U.S. security and economic resources may be to do so now, even without a sweeping peace deal.”
Read more: Safeguarding U.S. interests in a Ukraine war settlement
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