Zelensky Questions U.S. Intelligence Support Amid Escalating Russian Missile Strikes
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky challenges U.S. intelligence sharing consistency following a massive Russian strike on energy infrastructure.
POLICY WIRE — Kyiv, Ukraine — President Volodymyr Zelensky has once again cast doubt on the reliability of U.S. intelligence sharing, just one day after confirming that Washington had resumed providing critical data to assist in defending against Russian aerial assaults.
Zelensky reported that Russia launched a barrage of drones and 16 ballistic missiles at Ukraine’s energy grid overnight. He noted that Kyiv received no early warning from international partners who previously provided such intelligence, leaving the country vulnerable to the strikes.
The incident follows an interview with NBC News’s “Meet the Press,” where Zelensky stated that intelligence cooperation had been interrupted but later “de-blocked.” He remarked, We are very thankful for this. Now it works.
The latest Russian offensive damaged more than 10 energy infrastructure facilities, resulting in the death of one woman in Kyiv. Zelensky stated on social media that the destruction will leave over half a million people without access to electricity, heating, or running water.
The Russian Defense Ministry confirmed the operation, describing it as a “massive strike” against Ukrainian targets. Meanwhile, President Trump and Secretary of State Marco Rubio have maintained that the U.S. has not ceased intelligence sharing, though Rubio acknowledged he lacked specific details regarding the latest attack.
Tensions between the two leaders remain high, exacerbated by Zelensky’s accusations that the Trump administration previously restricted SpaceX’s Starlink services in Ukraine. Trump has denied that he or Elon Musk were responsible for any Starlink outages.
The relationship is further strained by Trump’s recent decisions to waive sanctions on Russia and import Russian diesel. These moves, combined with perceived reductions in Western support, have fueled fears that the U.S. may be distancing itself from Ukraine.
Zelensky firmly rejected claims that he is obstructing peace, asserting that Moscow is the sole party responsible for prolonging the conflict. “Ukraine never wanted this war, and we have welcomed literally EVERY attempt by our partners to bring this war to a dignified end. We have responded positively to EVERY ceasefire proposal,” he wrote.
He added that the ongoing violence is driven entirely by Russian aggression and a desire to extend the war. Expressing his frustration with the current state of affairs, Zelensky noted that while he does not want to believe Washington seeks an end to the war at Ukraine’s expense, that is how it looks.
Reporting by Policy-Wire (PW)
