Politico: European countries unlikely to replace US in providing intelligence to Ukraine

Ukraine’s European allies are scrambling to fill the intelligence gap left by the Trump administration’s recent decision to pause intelligence sharing with Kyiv.

However, replicating the vast scale of U.S. intelligence support will be a significant challenge, Caliber.Az reports via Politico.

For the past three years, the United States has provided Ukraine with a broad range of intelligence, including signals intelligence, satellite imagery, and targeting data crucial for striking Russian military positions. With the U.S. stepping back, NATO’s key intelligence powers—Britain, France, and to a lesser extent Germany—are expected to step in. However, they are unlikely to match the depth and sophistication of the sprawling U.S. intelligence network.

“I’m not sure that European countries can really bridge this gap,” said a European official familiar with the intelligence capabilities of Ukraine’s allies, speaking on condition of anonymity. The U.S. intelligence apparatus, encompassing 18 agencies, surpasses its European counterparts in satellite surveillance, electronic intelligence gathering, and analytical capacity.

Notably, Washington has halted intelligence sharing related to Russian military activities, affecting Ukraine’s ability to conduct long-range drone strikes and monitor Russian troop movements. The decision follows President Trump’s suspension of military aid to Kyiv amid diplomatic disputes with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. White House officials indicate that intelligence sharing could resume depending on progress in Trump’s proposed peace talks.

This suspension raises concerns, as Ukraine has heavily relied on U.S. intelligence for operational planning. The lack of critical intelligence weakens Ukraine’s battlefield awareness, potentially complicating its efforts to repel Russian forces and leading to a higher risk of civilian casualties.

By Khagan Isayev