Russia has expanded intelligence and military cooperation with Iran since the war began, a person briefed on the intelligence said. The Wall Street Journal first reported the increase and wrote that Moscow is providing satellite imagery and drone technology to help Tehran target US forces in the region. The Kremlin called the report “fake news.”
Trump hinted at the connection between intelligence cooperation with Iran and Ukraine during a recent interview with Fox Newssaying that Russian President Vladimir Putin “might be helping them (Iran) a little bit, yes, I think, and he probably thinks we’re helping Ukraine, right?”
The US continues to share intelligence with Ukraine, even as it has reduced other aid. Washington temporary suspension talks last year after the infamous Oval Office meeting between Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. The sudden suspension of US intelligence cooperation sparked a row between the partners and exposed deep tensions in cooperation with Kyiv.
One European diplomat sought to play down the risk of Russia’s proposal, noting that French President Emmanuel Macron said in January that “two-thirds” of military intelligence for Ukraine is now provided by France.
Still, intelligence cooperation remains the last important pillar of US support for Ukraine after the Trump administration suspended most of its financial and military aid to Kyiv last year. Washington is still sending weapons to Ukraine but under a NATO-led arrangement where allies pay the US for weapons. Delivery of critical air defense equipment, however, are under stress during the US war with Israel and Iran.
Recently, the Trump administration decided to ease sanctions on Russian oil to reduce pressure on the oil market, causing great concern and criticism from European leaders such as German Chancellor Friedrich Merz.
Hans von der Burchard reported from Berlin, Felicia Schwartz and Diana Nerozzi from Washington and Jacopo Barigazzi from Brussels.
