US ‘Immediately Lifts’ Intel, Military Aid Ban on Ukraine
The lifting of the existing ban, put in place following the Oval Office dispute, was announced in a press release issued by Ukraine’s Presidential Office after Tuesday’s Saudi talks.
The US has agreed to lift the recently introduced ban on arms support and intelligence sharing with Ukraine following a talk with the Ukrainian delegation in Saudi Arabia on Tuesday.
“The United States is immediately lifting the pause in intelligence sharing and restoring security assistance to Ukraine,” a press release issued by Ukraine’s Presidential Office after the talks says.
The US recently paused military aid, intelligence support and vital weapons shipments to Ukraine after a quarrel between Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and US President Donald Trump on Feb. 28. Trump’s Ukraine-Russia Envoy Keith Kellogg said he believes it to be a way to pressure Ukraine into negotiations.
The talks, which lasted for more than eight hours, also resulted in a US-proposed 30-day ceasefire plan, to which Ukraine has accepted.
The two parties also engaged in talks on other humanitarian issues pertaining to Russia’s invasion.
“The delegations also discussed the importance of humanitarian efforts as part of the peace process, particularly during the aforementioned ceasefire, including the exchange of prisoners of war, the release of detained civilians, and the return of forcibly displaced Ukrainian children,” the press release says.
The parties also agreed to further talks on the resources deal proposed by Trump.
Details of the high-stakes meeting remain scarce at the time of publication, with only scant updates from officials participating in the talks.
“Ultimately, the presidents of both countries agreed to conclude a comprehensive agreement as soon as possible on the development of Ukraine’s critical mineral resources to strengthen Ukraine’s economy and ensure Ukraine’s long-term prosperity and security,” it adds.
