France Now Leads Intelligence Support to Ukraine, Says Macron

In a recent statement, the President of France, Emmanuel Macron, announced that France has surpassed the United States in providing intelligence to Ukraine. This marks a significant transition in Ukraine's reliance on Western nations for critical military insights.

During a New Year's address to French military personnel, Macron highlighted a considerable shift in resource dependency by declaring, "A year ago, Ukraine heavily depended on American intelligence services. Today, France is responsible for providing two-thirds of that intelligence." This revelation suggests a notable reduction in US involvement in Ukraine's intelligence operations.

This development comes after the United States temporarily halted intelligence sharing and aid to Ukraine in March 2025, as the Trump administration attempted to mediate a truce between Ukraine and Russia. Although the restriction was lifted shortly after, the extent of ongoing US contributions remains ambiguous compared to previous administrations.

Historically, the US and Ukraine shared a robust intelligence collaboration, often involving shared facilities to coordinate military operations. This arrangement was particularly crucial when US-supplied military technology was employed by Ukrainian forces.

Ukraine, on its end, continues to develop its own military capabilities, including long-range precision weapons which could enable it to operate independently from Western military approvals.

The specifics of Macron's assertion, about France providing two-thirds of Ukraine's intelligence, remain somewhat unclear. It is not specified whether this two-thirds pertains solely to contributions from Ukraine's foreign allies or to the entirety of the intelligence that Ukraine utilizes.

Efforts to obtain further clarification from the Élysée Palace, the French Ministry of Defense, Ukraine’s defense ministry, and the US Pentagon have gone unanswered, underlining the opacity surrounding these strategic developments.

Macron's remarks align with his broader strategic objective of establishing France as a preeminent regional military power, particularly as the US reduces its European engagements under the Trump administration's policies.

In related developments, Macron noted that France is aiding in the rebuilding of Ukrainian military strength and pledging security support, especially in scenarios that might involve a ceasefire with Russia.

Recent agreements among European NATO allies and the United States culminated in a declaration. This statement outlined the creation of a European-led multinational force designed to reassure Ukraine and their allies against potential further Russian conflicts in the region.

Macron emphasized, "We send a clear message of readiness and solidarity to Ukraine and the broader international community. We are prepared to continue our support and stand against any future aggression, aiming to preserve stability and peace in Europe."