US intelligence officials warned Ukraine that Washington would immediately stop sharing intelligence if Kyiv continued attacks on Russian energy infrastructure.
The Washington Post reported, citing a person familiar with the matter, that the warning was conveyed to Ukraine’s embassy in Washington. It came amid disputes over an energy ceasefire announced by President Donald Trump and Ukrainian complaints that some Russian ballistic missile attacks had arrived without advance warning from partners.
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The Trump administration has previously warned that it could suspend intelligence sharing and halt European purchases of US weapons for Ukraine if Kyiv refused to stop deep strikes on Russian energy infrastructure.
The newspaper’s source said the US had not completely halted intelligence sharing. The source also noted that the missiles used in recent attacks on Kyiv had previously evaded warning systems.
Earlier, Zelensky said that Ukrainian forces received no warnings from partners about Russian ballistic missile launches toward Kyiv for two consecutive nights, as attacks struck the capital’s energy infrastructure.
He subsequently disputed the Pentagon’s explanation that a technical problem was responsible, saying the failure to provide warnings reflected a deliberate decision, according to the Financial Times.
President Volodymyr Zelensky confirmed that military commanders had received warnings about a possible intelligence cutoff.
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The move follows Trump’s decision to lift restrictions on Russian diesel, which drew criticism from President Volodymyr Zelensky, who warned it would help finance Russia’s war against Ukraine.
“They said this to my generals, not to me,” he said.
“My generals said they had received this information at the military level.”
Trump, however, said intelligence cooperation would continue.
“We are helping them, and we are sharing intel. We want the war to end,” he told reporters.
Trump announced an immediate energy ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine on Oct. 11, saying both sides had agreed. He demanded that Ukraine refrain from attacking Russian oil refineries.
After several days of Russian attacks, Zelensky said he had lifted the prohibition on strikes against Russian refineries
Zelensky said Kyiv will resume strikes on Russian oil refineries after Washington pressured Ukraine to halt attacks, warning that the US has endangered Ukrainian lives by restricting access to intelligence and Starlink satellite communications.
“The block [on attacking refineries] is out. We’re done,” Zelensky told the Financial Times in an interview in London.
Last week, Trump announced an agreement for Russia to supply diesel to US and global markets, drawing criticism from US lawmakers and European allies.
Zelensky described the deal as a “simple victory” for the Kremlin in an interview with British broadcaster Piers Morgan on Wednesday.
“It’s a pity that we are losing a strong partner,” Zelensky said.
He also accused Trump of taking Russia’s side in the war, arguing that Washington should remain neutral rather than favor Moscow.
“This is our country, our body, our home, our children,” Zelensky said. “That’s why it’s painful when Trump chooses one side.”
“If you’re in the middle, you have to stay in the middle. Not on the wrong side,” he added. “This is not the right side of history.”
The dispute comes as Russian forces continue attacks on Ukrainian energy facilities. Zelensky said Russian strikes had left more than 600,000 people without electricity.
Moscow has also intensified aerial attacks as battlefield advances remain limited, with both sides targeting energy infrastructure.
Zelensky has sought to strengthen European support amid uncertainty over Washington’s commitment. During his visit to London on Wednesday, he met British Prime Minister Andy Burnham and King Charles III.
Kyiv Post is Ukraine’s first and oldest English news organization, reporting since 1995. Its international reach – 90% of readers are outside of Ukraine – make it truly Ukraine’s global voice.