Trump suggests pause on intelligence sharing with Ukraine could be lifted
It comes as the UK’s national security adviser has been in Kyiv for talks over the weekend.
Donald Trump has reportedly suggested that the pause on sharing military intelligence with Ukraine could be lifted, ahead of talks between the two countries in the coming days.
Relations between Washington and Kyiv have been strained in recent weeks after a clash between Donald Trump and Volodymyr Zelensky in the White House, and the US then suspending military aid and intelligence sharing with Kyiv.
Speaking to reporters, Mr Trump said “we just about have” when asked if he would end the pause.
It comes as the UK’s national security adviser has been in Kyiv for talks over the weekend with top officials ahead of talks between Ukrainian and American officials aimed at ending the war.
Jonathan Powell met Andriy Yermak, head of the office of the president in Ukraine. In a post on X, Mr Yermak said that they “exchanged views on key issues on the path to achieving peace”.
Mr Trump told reporters “we’re going to make a lot of progress” during the talks.
Attacks on Ukraine by Russia continued through the weekend, with Mr Zelensky claiming that there have been “hundreds” throughout the week.
The diplomatic push on securing a peace deal in the war between Russia and Ukraine will continue this week, as the Ukrainian president is due to fly out to Saudi Arabia on Monday to meet with the country’s crown prince, and his team will stay on for talks with US officials.
Meanwhile, European defence ministers including John Healey are expected to meet in Paris later in the week.
Last week, Mr Zelensky said that he is “ready to work” under the US president’s leadership, but Mr Trump continued his criticisms of the Ukrainian leader on Sunday, saying that Ukraine was able to take money out of the US “under Biden like candy from a baby”.
He also suggested Mr Zelensky is not grateful for US help.
Speaking to Fox News in an interview on Sunday and referring to Mr Zelensky, the US president said: “It was like taking candy from a baby what he did.
“He’s a smart guy and he’s a tough guy and he took money out of this country under Biden like candy from a baby. It was so easy.”
Mr Trump added: “I just don’t think he’s grateful.”
Amid the talks elsewhere, the UK and France have been leading efforts to get countries to sign up to a so-called “coalition of the willing” peacekeeping force.
A senior minister said on Sunday that countries cannot be “dragooned” into the group, and would have to “step forward themselves” if they want to be a part of it.
Not all the countries interested in the plan would necessarily provide troops to a peacekeeping force, it is understood, but they could potentially contribute in other ways.
Asked on the BBC’s Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg how many countries have said they would be willing to take part, Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster Pat McFadden said: “These discussions are going on, I think it’s important to have European countries involved in this.
“The phrase ‘step up’ has been used quite a lot in recent weeks. The UK is stepping up.
“The Prime Minister certainly stepped up and other countries have indicated that they want to do that.
“Of course, coalition of the willing means people have to be up for it. They have to step forward themselves, they can’t be dragooned by us.
“But the UK and the Prime Minister is playing an important role in those discussions, and will continue to do that.”
