The U.S. plans to share intelligence on long-range targets inside Russia with Ukraine, the Wall Street Journal reported on Tuesday.
The intelligence would make it easier for Ukraine to strike refineries, pipelines and power plants, the Journal said, with the aim of cutting energy revenues that help finance Russia’s war.
U.S. officials are also discussing sending more powerful weapons to Ukraine, including Tomahawks, Barracudas and other U.S. missiles that can be launched from the ground and from the air, the report said. Those weapons have ranges of about 800 to 2,400 kilometers, the Journal wrote.
The U.S. government has not decided on delivery, and U.S. officials are asking NATO member states for similar support, the report added.
The expanded intelligence exchange is described in the Journal as a signal that President Donald Trump is intensifying support for Ukraine amid frustration over stalled peace talks and what U.S. officials called Russian President Vladimir Putin’s attitude and continued bombing.
Ukraine has carried out drone attacks on Russia for years, but the U.S. has long restricted the use of more powerful weapons and intelligence, the Journal said. If the U.S. approves arms delivery, the paper said, it would be the first time Americans have helped Ukraine conduct long-range missile strikes against energy targets deep inside Russia.
The Journal also reported that Trump has pressured European countries to stop buying Russian oil in exchange for his approval of imposing tougher sanctions on Russia.
Russia appeared unimpressed. According to the Kremlin, the U.S. and NATO already share intelligence with Ukraine. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said the delivery of U.S. tomahawks “will not change the situation on the battlefield,” the Kremlin said.
