Republicans urge Trump to resume military aid, intelligence sharing to Ukraine

The Hill reported the information.

Republican lawmakers are urging President Trump to reverse his decision to pause U.S. military and intelligence assistance to Ukraine, warning that an extended halt could severely weaken Ukraine’s war effort.

They acknowledge Trump’s authority to temporarily suspend weapons shipments to reassess the war, pressure NATO allies to increase their contributions, and create an opportunity to negotiate a peace deal with Russian leader Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

However, they caution that a prolonged delay in supplying weapons and munitions to Ukraine could significantly undermine its ability to fight, ultimately weakening its position in any negotiations with Russia.

GOP lawmakers also stress that intelligence sharing should resume immediately, questioning what the U.S. stands to gain from withholding critical battlefield intelligence from Ukraine.

“It’s a concern for the Ukrainian people. I worry more about how people on the battlefield feel about it,” said Sen. Thom Tillis (R-N.C.), a strong advocate for supporting Ukraine.

Tillis warned that the aid pause, announced Monday, “could be helpful to Putin.”

“I think it’s bad optics,” he said and added, "I know it’s hard for the people in Ukraine, I was just there two weeks ago."

Tillis noted that Ukraine currently has enough weapons and munitions to maintain the front line but expressed hope that the pause would not last long.

He said he was “okay” with a short-term pause as a negotiation tactic.

“I’m hoping and praying that it’s short-lived,” he said. “I think it will be.”

Senate Appropriations Committee Chair Susan Collins (R-Maine) voiced her opposition to halting military aid.

“I do not think we should be pausing our efforts. It’s the Ukrainians who are shedding blood,” she said, calling the situation “a critical time for Ukraine.”

Some Republican senators were taken aback on Thursday by Trump’s statement that he would consider revoking temporary legal status for approximately 240,000 Ukrainians living in the U.S.

One GOP senator, speaking anonymously, described the threat to deport thousands of Ukrainian refugees as excessively “punitive.”

“We’ve given them everything from jobs to housing until they get legal status — and now revoke legal status?” the lawmaker asked incredulously.

The push to limit U.S. support for Ukraine follows a heated argument last week in the Oval Office between Trump, Vice President Vance, and Zelenskyy. Zelenskyy had traveled to the U.S. to finalize a minerals deal but left the White House after the public dispute.

Despite the challenges, Ukraine has managed to hold Russian forces at bay along the front lines, despite a shortage of munitions and personnel.

However, analysts warn that Ukrainian forces could begin to falter under Russian pressure in four to six months unless European allies quickly mobilize to compensate for the shortfall in U.S. weapons.

Fedir Venislavky, a member of Ukraine’s parliamentary defense committee, estimated that without new American aid, Ukraine’s supply of weapons would last only six months, according to the BBC.

Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) emphasized that the military aid pause is temporary.

“It’s a pause, importantly, not a stop. I think it’s part of a negotiation. And I’m hopeful that in the end, we’ll get folks to the table and be able to negotiate a deal that will bring a peaceful resolution to this three-year-long conflict—one that respects the sovereignty of the Ukrainian people,” he said.

Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), who has played a key role in negotiating the minerals deal, said he was dismayed by Trump’s decision to halt intelligence sharing with Ukraine.

“I’m very worried about that long-term,” he said. “It gives Ukraine an edge. Hopefully, all this will clear up pretty soon.”

Sen. John Cornyn (R-Texas), a senior member of the Senate Intelligence Committee, said that U.S. intelligence has been essential in helping Ukraine stay in the fight.

“I hope the pause would be lifted at some point,” he said.

Cornyn explained that Trump is trying to use the pause as leverage to push Zelenskyy to agree to a deal.

“It’s a pause, and I understand why—until there’s some agreement with the Ukrainians that we’d want to do that,” he said.

Sen. Mike Rounds (R-S.D.), a member of the Armed Services Committee, said he does not support the decision to stop intelligence sharing with Ukraine.

“I disagree with it,” he said. He also hopes that the pause in military aid will be brief.

“I’m hopeful that with everything going on right now, that will end up being a short-term issue and that we’ll end up with a longer-term agreement—providing military resources as part of a longer-term agreement,” he said.

Sen. Deb Fischer (R-Neb.), another member of the Armed Services panel, noted that the intelligence-sharing pause was a decision made by the president.

“I would hope that if there’s intel out there that would be very worthwhile for the Ukrainians, that it would be passed on,” she said.

Senate Armed Services Committee Chairman Roger Wicker (R-Miss.) stated that he is currently reviewing the decision to halt intelligence sharing.