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France Takes Lead in Intelligence Support for Ukraine

1/16/2026

Summary

Story summary

On January 15, 2026, President Emmanuel Macron announced that France now supplies two-thirds of intelligence to Ukraine, replacing the United States.
This change followed the U.S. decision in March 2025 to suspend intelligence sharing to pressure Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy regarding peace talks with Russia.
Macron highlighted that a coalition of 35 countries provides comprehensive assistance to Ukraine.
Despite this, Kyrylo Budanov, head of Zelenskiy's office, stated that Ukraine remains critically dependent on U.S. intelligence.
A French defense official acknowledged that much of the intelligence is of technical origin but did not address Macron's claims.

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Story summary

On January 15, 2026, President Emmanuel Macron announced that France now supplies two-thirds of intelligence to Ukraine, replacing the United States.
This change followed the U.S. decision in March 2025 to suspend intelligence sharing to pressure Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy regarding peace talks with Russia.
Macron highlighted that a coalition of 35 countries provides comprehensive assistance to Ukraine.
Despite this, Kyrylo Budanov, head of Zelenskiy's office, stated that Ukraine remains critically dependent on U.S. intelligence.
A French defense official acknowledged that much of the intelligence is of technical origin but did not address Macron's claims.