US threatens to suspend intel sharing, weapons purchases if Ukraine continues Russia energy strikes, sources say
By Jim Sciutto, CNN
(CNN) — The Trump administration has warned Ukraine and allies in Europe that the US could suspend intelligence sharing and European purchases of US weapons for Ukraine if Kyiv does not halt its deep strikes on Russian energy facilities, two European officials told CNN.
The warnings from the State Department and the Pentagon were sent over the weekend to officials in Ukraine and Europe, including communications from the US military directly to Ukrainian commanders.
Another source familiar with the matter said the US threatened to cut intelligence sharing.
The Financial Times was the first to report the threats to end intel sharing and weapons purchases. CNN has reached out to the Department of Defense, the State Department and the White House for comment.
The threats come as President Donald Trump has been fuming at Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky over attacks on Russian refineries, CNN previously reported.
Trump has long blamed the rise in global diesel prices on the Ukraine-Russia war and demanded that both sides halt attacks on energy facilities. Those high prices have also been exacerbated by the US’ war with Iran.
Earlier Sunday, Trump announced that Russia and Ukraine agreed to what he described as an “energy ceasefire,” a development that a source close to Zelensky said was a surprise.
“Ukraine supports the ceasefire, and it is important that Russia support it as well. We are awaiting details from the American side,” Zelensky wrote on X after the announcement.
A European official told CNN that intelligence sharing and weapons purchases are “vital” to Ukraine, describing the threat as a “sad day” for Kyiv and its allies.
If acted upon, the suspension would have an immediate impact on Ukraine’s defenses.
Intelligence provided by the US helps Ukraine to defend against Russian ballistic missile attacks, by providing the locations of missile launchers and data on where the strikes are heading, and when. Suspending weapons purchases — which take place via the Prioritized Ukraine Requirements List, or PURL, mechanism — would have the most damaging effect on shipments of Patriot interceptor missiles, which Ukraine is already desperately short of as Russia has expanded its missile and drone attacks across the country.
NATO had not yet seen a change to the PURL program over the weekend, another European official told CNN. The Trump administration previously suspended intelligence sharing with Ukraine in March 2025 following a contentious meeting in the Oval Office between Zelensky and Trump. The US later restored intelligence sharing after Ukraine accepted a proposed US ceasefire following talks in Saudi Arabia.
The threats are sure to further complicate the tenuous relationship between Trump and Zelensky.
The pair have sparred in recent days over a US deal with Russian President Vladimir Putin to supply markets with Russian diesel. Ukraine’s continued refinery attacks were part of what led Trump to strike the deal, a US official previously told CNN.
Trump on Saturday suggested Ukraine should get a new leader and replace Zelensky.
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CNN’s Jennifer Hansler contributed to this report.
