- Category
- Latest news
Europe Says It Can Replace Most US Intelligence Support for Ukraine Within Months
- Authors
![Photo of Cyril Barabaltchouk]( "Photo of Cyril Barabaltchouk")
-72b63a4e0c8c475ad81fe3eed3f63729.jpeg "Photo of Cyril Barabaltchouk")
European officials say they could replace most US intelligence support for Ukraine within months if Washington were to scale back its role, the Financial Times (FT) reported, citing Western and European officials familiar with the discussions on January 28.
The assessment comes amid growing anxiety in European capitals over the reliability of US security commitments under President Donald Trump, particularly after his threats toward Greenland and repeated questioning of NATO’s value.
Every article pushes back against disinformation. Your support keeps our team in the field.
While European leaders remain cautious about openly challenging Washington, officials are increasingly preparing contingency plans for a future in which US support is reduced or withdrawn.
French President Emmanuel Macron had previously said France was supplying roughly two-thirds of the intelligence support Ukraine relies on in its fight against Russian aggression.
Other European allies have also stepped up surveillance, reconnaissance, and analytical support. A Western official told the newspaper that Ukraine’s reliance on US intelligence could be “largely reduced within months,” though not fully eliminated, according to FT.
European officials argue that the impact of a potential US pullback would be less severe than it would have been a year ago. When Washington briefly paused intelligence sharing and weapons deliveries, other allies moved to fill the gap.
At the same time, Ukraine has adapted its military approach, relying more heavily on drone warfare and rapidly expanding domestic arms production, which now covers about 60 percent of its needs, FT wrote.
Despite this progress, European officials acknowledge that intelligence is only one part of a much wider dependency. Europe remains heavily reliant on the US for critical military capabilities, including air defense, satellite surveillance, strategic transport, secure communications, and suppression of enemy air defences. Replacing these systems would take years and require massive investment.
The FT reports that NATO allies are also concerned about the alliance’s command structure, which is deeply tied to US leadership. Key planning, coordination, and nuclear deterrence functions remain dependent on Washington.
While some officials have floated ideas such as a stronger “European pillar” within NATO or regional defense groupings, there is no consensus on how quickly or realistically Europe could assume these roles.
For Ukraine, European officials warn that continued US engagement remains vital, particularly for air defense systems and long-range capabilities.
However, they stress that intelligence support is one area where Europe is already proving it can shoulder more responsibility, even as the bigger challenge of defending the continent without the United States remains unresolved.
The FT notes that European leaders now face a dual challenge: maintaining unity within NATO while preparing for scenarios once considered unthinkable—a future in which Europe must defend itself, and Ukraine, with far less American involvement.
Previously, European Union Defense Commissioner Andrius Kubilius had called on the European Union to consider creating a standing European military force of up to 100,000 troops and to overhaul how defense decisions are made.
-111f0e5095e02c02446ffed57bfb0ab1.jpeg "Photo of Roman Kohanets")
