US-Ukraine Intelligence Sharing Resumes as Trump Envoy Pursues Russia Peace Talks

Intelligence Sharing Breakthrough Amid Tensions

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky announced that US military intelligence sharing on Russian missile attacks has resumed following talks in Oslo with Donald Trump's special envoy Steve Witkoff. This comes after weeks of accusations from Kyiv that Washington was withholding critical early-warning data on ballistic missile strikes—claims dismissed as baseless by US Secretary of State Marco Rubio. Zelensky specifically praised the restoration of ballistic missile early-warning capabilities, stating this information is essential for protecting civilians. The breakthrough was confirmed by a US official who characterized the Oslo discussions as "very productive and constructive," with strong working-level alignment among the US, Ukraine, and European partners on next steps.

Diplomatic Push Toward Negotiations

The Oslo gathering brought together Zelensky, Finnish President Alexander Stubb, Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre, and Witkoff to discuss peace proposals. Stubb reported "genuine progress" on pathways to end the war but offered no specific details and cautioned that patience would be required. Zelensky indicated Ukraine remains "ready for negotiations" while stressing his country is not losing militarily but is sustaining heavy casualties from Russian attacks. Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner participated virtually in the meeting. The negotiations set the stage for Witkoff to carry the proposals to Moscow, where he is scheduled to meet President Vladimir Putin on Wednesday. Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov signaled the Kremlin would hear Witkoff's offers while ruling out "any political concessions."

Persistent US-Ukraine Friction

Despite the Oslo optimism, fundamental rifts between Washington and Kyiv remain evident. Trump has publicly stated it is time for Ukraine to get a new president and suggested someone else should negotiate on Ukraine's behalf. The American president continues urging Kyiv to "make a deal" and says it is "time for Ukraine to end this war." Vice President JD Vance characterized Ukraine as "a partner in some ways" but noted divergent interests, specifically criticizing Ukrainian drone strikes on Russian energy infrastructure. Vance emphasized Ukraine is not a formal US ally and expressed opposition to NATO membership for the country. These statements reflect a significant shift in American rhetoric toward Russia's war aims.

Outstanding Military Support and Starlink Issues

Critical gaps in US military assistance to Ukraine remain unresolved. Unconfirmed reports indicate that additional Patriot air-defense interceptors—the only effective weapon against Russian ballistic missiles—have not yet been approved for transfer to Kyiv. Rubio acknowledged this may be accurate but insisted nothing has been intentionally withheld. Zelensky raised additional concerns about speed restrictions imposed on SpaceX's Starlink satellite network, which Ukraine uses for military operations including drone strikes. Ukraine's military reported these restrictions in recent days, prompting a bipartisan group of US senators to demand an urgent investigation. Zelensky expressed hope for resolution on Starlink access alongside requests for additional interceptors and early-warning systems.

European Concerns and Russian Positioning

European leaders have grown anxious about recent US signals toward Russia. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz cited "mixed pictures and messages" from the American government on the war and stressed Europe must remain engaged in any resolution process. Norwegian and Finnish participation in the Oslo talks underscored Europe's determination to maintain a seat at the negotiating table. Russia controls approximately 20 percent of Ukrainian territory following its 2022 full-scale invasion. Russian drone attacks continued during the talks, killing at least 10 people across multiple Ukrainian cities on Tuesday. Putin has not publicly commented on developments, though Lavrov's statements suggest Moscow will await Witkoff's proposals before responding. The scheduling of the Moscow meeting indicates Trump's team is prioritizing direct engagement with Putin over sustained pressure on Russian objectives.