WASHINGTON — President Volodymyr Zelensky said the United States has resumed sharing intelligence with Ukraine after a roughly three-day disruption that left Kyiv with less warning of incoming Russian attacks.
Zelensky welcomed the restoration of the intelligence pipeline, saying the interruption had weakened Ukraine’s ability to prepare for Russian strikes before it was lifted.
“It was blocked for some period of time. And then it was de-blocked by the American side. We are very thankful for this. Now it works,” Zelensky told NBC News’ “Meet the Press” in a prerecorded interview broadcast Sunday.
“We didn’t see attacks of Russia using ballistic missiles,” Zelensky said. “We have dozens of countries who help. But only United States has this unique intelligence to tell our side when Russia uses ballistic missiles. And we didn’t get it during ballistic attacks during three days.”
Ukraine has made significant progress in defending against Russian drones while also expanding its own drone operations against targets inside Russia.
Ballistic missiles, however, remain a far more difficult threat. Ukraine has struggled to intercept them, in part because of a shortage of Patriot air-defense interceptors that reportedly was recently exhausted.
The intelligence disruption came as tensions escalated between Kyiv and Washington over Ukrainian strikes against Russia’s energy infrastructure. President Trump has blamed those attacks for contributing to higher diesel prices, a politically sensitive issue as the midterm elections approach.
YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE: Shocking Tiger Attack: Man Dies in Wildlife Park Incident – VIDEO
Trump announced an energy ceasefire in Ukraine last week, catching Kyiv off guard. Ukrainian officials said they paused attacks on Russian energy facilities for several days, but resumed them after Russia continued striking Ukraine’s own energy sites.
“If you tell me that Zelensky is again shooting at refineries, all he’s doing is making the world oil price higher,” Trump told Newsmax host Rob Finnerty on Thursday. “I think that’s a disgrace. There’s plenty of other targets.”
Ukraine has also alleged that its access to Starlink’s military service was restricted. Kyiv said the move reduced its ability to track and intercept drone attacks and to conduct drone strikes against Russian targets.
Officials have offered conflicting accounts of who ordered the reported throttling and whether Ukraine’s access to the satellite internet network has been completely restored.
Asked why Trump appears more willing to speak favorably about Russian President Vladimir Putin than about him, Zelensky suggested the difference may stem from his own direct approach.
“I’m very honest with the President of the United States, and very clear, and very supportive of America because we are strategic partners,” Zelensky said. “He’s [Putin] a killer.”
“That’s why I’m very honest and open to say that he’s a killer,” he added. “But I’m better to have partners who are very open and clear than to have those who are killers, even with a smile on their face.”
