US-Ukraine intelligence sharing returns to previous level – Politico

The intelligence-sharing relationship between the United States and Ukraine has returned to its previous high level.

Source: Politico, a Brussels-based politics and policy news organisation, citing experts who have closely monitored developments in Ukraine for some time

Details: Politico said this is a "welcome boost during a critical window of opportunity for the Ukrainian war effort".

Senator Mark Warner, a Democrat from Virginia, Vice Chair of the Senate Intelligence Committee and a long-time advocate of increased US support for Ukraine, told Politico that he has seen signs of improvement in the intelligence-sharing arrangement. He believes this has helped Kyiv gain an advantage in Russia's four-year-long full-scale war.

"I don't want to get into any specifics, but it has improved," Warner said, adding that Ukraine's use of drones and long-range missiles has enabled it to strike deep inside Russia and strengthen its position.

Republican Senators John Cornyn of Texas, another member of the Senate Intelligence Committee, and Roger Wicker of Mississippi, who chairs the Senate Armed Services Committee, also agreed that intelligence sharing between the US and Ukraine has increased at this strategically important time.

"It sure seems like that," Cornyn said. "Everybody loves a winner and looks like Ukraine has turned the tide."

Senator Tim Kaine, a Democrat from Virginia and a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, also told Politico that he has noticed signs of closer communication between Ukraine and the US.

"I was in Ukraine in April 2025 and I was there again in July 2026. And I detect more confidence in the communication," he said.

George Barros, Director of Innovation and Open Source Tradecraft at the Institute for the Study of War, said US support has been a key factor behind Ukraine's improved position. According to media reports, President Donald Trump approved intelligence sharing for Ukrainian strikes on Russian energy infrastructure last year. Barros said this has been an important part of creating the "proper incentive structure" intended to pressure Moscow into negotiations.

He described those strikes as "supercharged" and said they have become significantly more effective thanks to US intelligence, adding that they are part of a "larger, more coherent strategy" aimed at imposing meaningful costs on Russia.

Barros also noted that the US early warning systems have been alerting Ukraine to incoming Russian missile attacks since the very first days of the full-scale war.

The White House did not provide details on whether intelligence cooperation with Ukraine has expanded, although it did stress that President Trump is focused on helping to bring the war to an end.

The CIA and the Office of the Director of National Intelligence did not respond to Politico's request for comment.

John Herbst, former US ambassador to Ukraine who served in Kyiv from 2003 to 2006 and still maintains contact with Ukrainian officials, said Washington also benefits from intelligence provided by Kyiv.

"There's no doubt of the following: Ukraine has outstanding intelligence on Russia," he said.

Background:

• Politico previously reported that Russia had proposed a deal under which the Kremlin would stop providing intelligence to Iran if Washington ceased sharing intelligence with Ukraine.
• In April, it was reported that the US had lifted some restrictions on intelligence sharing with Ukraine amid intensified Russian offensives in Ukraine's east and south.

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