France is offering navy intelligence to Ukraine, French Protection Minister Sebastien Lecornu mentioned after the U.S. halted intelligence sharing with Kyiv, the BFM TV channel reported on March 6.
"We’ve intelligence assets that we’re offering to the Ukrainians," Lecornu mentioned on air on France Inter.
The U.S. stopped sharing intelligence with Ukraine on March 5, shortly after it froze all navy help as a part of an effort to stress Kyiv into fast negotiations with Russia.
The choice doubtlessly threatens Ukraine's capability to strike Russian forces but additionally detect Russia's aerial strikes in opposition to Ukrainian cities and infrastructure.
Some media urged that Washington additionally banned its companions, just like the U.Ok., from sharing U.S.-obtained intelligence with Ukraine. U.S. officers signaled that the pause could also be short-term and can rely upon progress towards peace talks.
Talking on France Inter, Lecornu additionally mentioned that French President Emmanuel Macron instructed him to "speed up the supply of French assist packages (for Ukraine) to compensate for U.S. assist that not arrives."
European international locations are anticipated to step up assist amid uncertainties in regards to the Trump administration's dedication to Ukraine's and Europe's safety. European help for Kyiv and the necessity for better protection spending shall be mentioned throughout an EU summit in Brussels in a while March 6.
The battle between Kyiv and Washington has been simmering for weeks as U.S. President Donald Trump adopted more and more hostile rhetoric towards President Volodymyr Zelensky whereas intensifying diplomatic outreach to Moscow. Essentially the most explosive episode got here on Feb. 28, when Trump and U.S. Vice President JD Vance publicly berated Zelensky within the Oval Workplace, derailing plans for the signing of a minerals settlement.
The Kyiv IndependentThe Kyiv Independent news desk