Ukraine appears to be turning to France for help with military intelligence after the United States temporarily halted its intel-sharing with Kyiv.
On March 5, 2025, CIA Director John Ratcliffe confirmed that the United States had halted the sharing of intelligence with Ukraine. The decision has had immediate operational consequences, as US-provided intelligence was crucial for targeting Russian military assets deep behind enemy lines and issuing early warnings to the Ukrainian population about incoming missile and drone strikes.
Further complicating Ukraine’s intelligence access, the US company Maxar Technologies announced on March 7, 2025, that it had suspended Ukraine’s access to its satellite imagery services, citing an “administrative request.”
The situation could soon change, with President Donald Trump indicating that his administration was “just about” ready to resume intelligence-sharing with Ukraine. But the unpredictability of US actions poses a significant risk to Ukrainian lives and highlights the vulnerability Ukraine faces in relying on inconsistent support.
In response to this situation, Ukraine has sought assistance from Europe, where countries such as France, despite having fewer resources, have emerged as more reliable partners.
Ukraine turns to France for military intelligence
Recognizing the urgent need for continued intelligence-sharing, French Minister of the Armed Forces Sébastien Lecornu confirmed on March 6, 2025, that France is providing military intelligence to Kyiv.
“Our intelligence is sovereign […] with our own capabilities,” Lecornu stated during an interview with France Inter radio, emphasizing the long-term efforts France has made in strengthening its intelligence infrastructure. “We are making the Ukrainians benefit from it,” he added, without disclosing specifics about the duration or extent of the cooperation.
Coinciding with these developments, the Ariane 6 rocket successfully deployed the CSO-3 military observation satellite into orbit on March 6, 2025. The CSO-3 satellite, part of the “Composante Spatiale Optique” program, completes a trio of French Earth observation satellites.
Furthermore, Intelligence Online reported on March 7, 2025, that Safran.AI, a subsidiary of Safran Electronics & Defense, has been contracted to provide a data fusion platform to Ukraine’s Main Directorate of Intelligence (GUR).
This platform will enable the analysis of satellite imagery supplied by the CSO-3 system. According to sources, the agreement was signed as early as February 2025, anticipating a possible reduction in US intelligence support.
The Ukrainian military also fears that the Trump administration will ban Starlink from operating in the country. The latter has been capable of providing connectivity to Ukrainian drones, making it a crucial asset in the Ukrainian defense against the Russian invasion. French operator Eutelsat and its OneWeb satellite constellation has already signaled it was in talks with the European Union to offer a viable alternative to replace Starlink, though the deployment of its service would come with a significant financial cost.
Trump to reverse his decision?
On March 9, 2025, during a press briefing on Air Force One, President Trump confirmed that the US was “just about” ready to lift the ban and resume sharing intelligence with Ukraine. This comes as US and Ukrainian negotiators prepare for bilateral talks in Saudi Arabia aimed at advancing a peace deal to end Russia’s three-year-old invasion.
However, despite this potential reversal, the episode has highlighted the US as a volatile partner, and it is likely that Ukraine will continue to seek intelligence support elsewhere.
According to media reports, the US has requested that the United Kingdom halt the exchange of intelligence with Ukraine. The UK, a member of the “Five Eyes” intelligence alliance established during World War II, collaborates closely with the United States, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand on intelligence sharing. However, the Guardian reported that Britain will continue to provide intelligence to Ukraine, except for information obtained through its intelligence-sharing agreement with the US.
General Patrick de Rousiers, former President of the Military Committee of the European Union, stated in an interview with La Depeche that French intelligence capabilities “cover almost the entire spectrum of US intelligence, albeit with significantly smaller volumes and more modest resources.” De Rousiers proposed the establishment of an intelligence coalition among Ukraine’s allies, suggesting that France and the United Kingdom could collaboratively act as the “framework nation” to ensure effective coordination and support.
