Photo: ERA
Washington, 10 March – After a visit to Ukraine, Democratic Senator Mark Kelly criticised the Trump administration’s decision to end intelligence sharing with Kyiv, saying it has weakened Ukraine’s defences against Russian attacks.
“One hundred per cent,” Kelly said when asked by journalists whether Trump’s decision had affected the security of Ukrainians. “If they don’t get what they need, it changes their ability to defend themselves.”
This was reported by Reuters.
Ukraine suffers massive attacks
Since the announcement of the suspension of intelligence sharing, Russian forces have intensified attacks on Ukraine. Since Thursday, the Ukrainian authorities have recorded shelling of energy and gas infrastructure, as well as strikes in Kyiv and the regions.
On Monday night, Russia carried out new air strikes on the Ukrainian capital, killing at least 14 people and wounding 37 others.
Kelly, a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, was in Ukraine on Saturday and Sunday to assess the situation and express support for Kyiv.
Pressure on Ukraine: Trump wants talks with Russia
Last week, the White House announced the termination of intelligence cooperation with Ukraine. This decision was another step in a series of restrictions on Kyiv’s support that the Trump administration is implementing to force Volodymyr Zelenskyy to enter into peace talks with Russia.
It also came on the heels of Washington’s decision to freeze military aid to Ukraine. This followed a tense meeting at the White House, where Trump and Vice President J.D. Vance publicly clashed with Zelenskyy over further support for Kyiv.
On Monday, Zelenskyy travelled to Saudi Arabia to meet with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. This came a day before important talks between Ukrainian and American officials, from which Washington expects real progress towards ending the war.
The Ukrainian issue splits American politics
Previously, support for Ukraine was bipartisan, but since the beginning of Trump’s second term, it has become a subject of political confrontation.
Democrats continue to actively advocate for assistance to Kyiv, while Republicans are showing more hesitation.
House Speaker Mike Johnson said he had “no desire” to pass another bill to fund Ukraine.
Dispute with Musk: Kelly responds sharply to the billionaire
The conflict over aid to Ukraine has also affected American business. Billionaire Elon Musk, who is an unofficial adviser to Trump, called Kelly a “traitor” on his Twitter account after he published a post about his trip to Ukraine.
Kelly wrote back:
“Traitor? Elon, if you don’t understand that defending freedom is the core principle that makes America great and keeps us safe, maybe you should leave it to those who do.”
Later in the interview, Kelly called Musk a “frivolous person” and said that his opinion did not matter in matters of national security.
What’s next?
Kelly’s trip was his third visit to Ukraine since 2023, which underscores the continued support for Kyiv from a section of the American establishment.
However, the situation remains complex: The US is trying to balance its political interests, support for its allies, and its own strategic goals.
Whether Washington’s pressure will lead to real progress in the negotiation process remains an open question.
