Donald Trump has halted US intelligence-sharing to Ukraine in another gift to Vladimir Putin.

CIA director John Ratcliffe said today this is part of the military aid cut – seen as ‘punishment’ to Ukraine for the clash between the US and Ukraine presidents in the White House.

He told Fox Business Network: ‘On the military front and the intelligence front, the pause (that prompted Ukraine’s president to respond) I think will go away.

‘I think we will work shoulder to shoulder with Ukraine as we have to push back on the aggression that’s there, but to put the world in a better place for these peace negotiations to move forward.’

This move could seriously hamper the ability to track and target Russian forces on the frontline and protect civilians.

It also illustrates the Trump administration’s willingness to play hardball with an ally to force it to the negotiating table.

It was not immediately clear to what extent the US had cut back on the sharing.

Concerns were raised yesterday after the White House announced the military aid cut.

Ivan Stupak, a military expert and ex-SBU officer, who described the cuts as ‘sanctions’ on Ukraine, told Metro that European allies would not be able to make up for the US intelligence.

He said: ‘Intelligence is not connected just to the battlefield. Yes, we learn about Russian positions, how many tanks they have, or how many planes, etc.

‘But we also learn about deployment of Russian troops, about the launch of cruise missiles, Shahed drones or anything else.

‘Every time we hear the air raid alarm, we go on our phones and check what the threat is – that is from US intelligence.

‘Is it an incoming ballistic missile? Is it drones? Do I need to find a shelter? Nobody knows what the US will do with this type of information.’

US national security adviser Mike Waltz told reporters this morning that the administration ‘had taken a step back’ and was ‘reviewing all aspects’ of its intelligence relationship with Ukraine.

Waltz also said the US was actively engaged in talks with Ukraine about moving negotiations forward on a minerals deal and a potential peace deal with Russia.

‘I think we are going to see movement in very short order,’ he added.

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