US halts intelligence sharing with Ukraine

CIA Director John Ratcliffe commented, "President Trump had questions about whether President Zelensky was committed to the peace process and said, 'let's pause'." Speaking to the American channel Fox Business, CIA Director Ratcliffe said that this decision was taken following the dispute between Trump and Zelensky.

Referring to the letter Zelensky sent to Trump yesterday, in which he stated that he was "ready to sit at the table for peace negotiations and sign a rare earth elements agreement with the US," Ratcliffe said, "You saw the response President Zelensky gave. Therefore, I think that on the military front and the intelligence front, the pause in question will be lifted."

THEY HAD ALSO SUSPENDED MILITARY SHIPMENTS

Emphasizing his belief that the decision to halt intelligence sharing would soon be lifted, the CIA Director stated that he believes they will work together to resolve this issue by standing shoulder to shoulder with Ukraine.

Reports in the US media stated that Washington had temporarily suspended intelligence support and military shipments to Kyiv following the dispute between Trump and Zelensky in the Oval Office last Friday.

A DISPUTE HAD OCCURRED BETWEEN TRUMP AND ZELENSKY

US President Trump and Ukrainian President Zelensky argued in front of cameras during their meeting in the Oval Office last Friday. Later, the announced joint press conference was canceled, Zelensky left the White House alone, and the rare earth elements agreement was not signed.

Trump argued that Zelensky had "disrespected the American people," while Zelensky said he had done nothing wrong to apologize for.

Speaking in Congress on Tuesday evening, Trump stated that Zelensky had sent him a letter and expressed that Ukraine was ready to sign the rare earth elements agreement and engage in peace talks. 

News Source: 12punto