Former NATO Supreme Allied Commander James Stavridis warns that US intelligence sharing with Ukraine is even more critical than weapons deliveries, following President Donald Trump’s recent decision to temporarily suspend both military aid and intelligence cooperation.
In a Bloomberg opinion piece published on 13 March, Stavridis, a retired US Navy admiral and current Bloomberg Opinion columnist, explained that while military hardware is important, the brief intelligence cutoff following a confrontation between Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy had devastating consequences.
“What really put my heart in my throat was the stoppage of intelligence sharing,” Stavridis wrote, adding that “Ukrainians have died as a result” of the suspension, which lasted just days.
According to Stavridis, intelligence provides Ukraine with critical battlefield awareness, helping them identify Russian troop movements, anticipated air attacks, and logistical vulnerabilities. He compared the intelligence cutoff to “being in the boxing ring and suddenly having a blindfold put over your eyes.”
The intelligence sharing has now resumed following US-Ukraine meetings in Saudi Arabia, where Secretary of State Marco Rubio and National Security Advisor Mike Waltz have reportedly “somewhat mended the relationship” and developed a ceasefire proposal for Moscow.
However, Stavridis warns that the Ukrainians are living “under a Sword of Damocles” due to Trump’s tendency to “change course on a whim” and Russia’s likely demands for ending US support as part of any ceasefire agreement.
Drawing on his experience commanding NATO operations in Libya in 2011, Stavridis outlined three complementary intelligence resources that are vital for Ukraine’s defense:
- Information: Open-source data analysis, including monitoring Russian media, social networks, and commercial activity to understand enemy capabilities and intentions.
- Intelligence: Answering critical battlefield questions through human reporting, drone surveillance, electronic signal collection, and cyber operations to anticipate Russian moves.
- Imagery: Satellite photography and video that provides visual confirmation of enemy movements and logistics.
“Intelligence is the superpower of the US military,” Stavridis noted, explaining that no NATO ally can match American capabilities in this domain.
While Stavridis expressed relief that intelligence cooperation has resumed, he emphasized the damage already done and warned about Putin’s likely demands in future negotiations.
“Let’s hope the US keeps up the flow of information, intelligence and imagery, despite Putin’s unacceptable conditions for any ceasefire,” he concluded, stressing that Ukraine cannot defend itself effectively without these critical resources.
Related:
- AP: Ukraine depleted its limited supply of ATACMS missiles months ago
- Trump’s Ukraine stance worrying for Russia’s neighbors, says David Cameron
- WP: Leaked document reveals Kremlin’s hardline Ukraine negotiation strategy
- Trump warns of devastating financial measures if Russia rejects ceasefire
- US resumes intelligence sharing and military aid to Ukraine
- Rubio says Ukraine must make territorial concessions to “prevent more suffering”
- Trump says US “just about” lifted pause in intelligence sharing with Ukraine
- Maxar confirms US government blocked Ukrainian access to satellite data (UPDATED)
- ISW: Halting US intel sharing to weaken Ukraine’s defense against Russian airstrikes
