France Steps In With Intel for Ukraine as Washington Pauses Cooperation

French Defense Minister Sébastien Lecornu confirmed that France has offered to share intelligence with Ukraine as Washington pauses its intelligence cooperation with Kyiv, Lecornu said in an interview, reported by France 24 on March 6.

“Our intelligence is sovereign, with our own capabilities. We are passing this on to the Ukrainians,” Lecornu stated.

Previously, French Prime Minister François Bayrou spoke before the French National Assembly, addressing the situation concerning Ukraine amidst the recent halt of U.S. military aid. He stressed that France is committed to gathering “all available resources” to counterbalance the U.S. decision to suspend military support.

France will strive to “gather all possible resources,” along with other European countries, to compensate for the freeze in U.S. military aid to Ukraine, which will need ammunition, “a number of systems for intelligence,” as well as “access to networks and connectivity,” said Bayrou.

Earlier, CIA Director John Ratcliffe confirmed that the United States temporarily halted intelligence sharing with Ukraine.

White House correspondent Jacqui Heinrich reports that he mentioned a “pause on the military front, on the intelligence front, to hold everyone accountable to drive peace around the world.”

Ratcliffe stated that the pause comes in the wake of discussions between U.S. and Ukrainian leadership.

According to White House correspondent for Fox News Edward Lawrence, Ratcliffe expressed optimism that the suspension could soon be lifted, saying he looks forward to “working with Ukraine towards peace.”