Europe provides two-thirds of intelligence shared with Ukraine, French foreign minister says
European countries now provide approximately two-thirds of the intelligence shared with Ukraine, French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot said on October 15, amid growing concerns over U.S. restrictions on military support for Kyiv.
"Two-thirds of the intelligence provided to Ukraine today comes from Europeans, particularly France," Barrot said in an interview with France Inter.
His comments followed disruptions to Ukraine's access to the U.S.-controlled Starshield satellite communications service, which Ukrainian officials said had interfered with drone operations and air defense.
Barrot urged Europeans not to accept predictions that Ukraine's defenses were on the verge of collapse.
"Let us not allow ourselves to be poisoned by Vladimir Putin's propaganda," he said.
The minister argued that warnings about Ukraine's imminent defeat or the withdrawal of U.S. support had repeatedly surfaced since Russia launched its full-scale invasion.
"The truth is that Europe has long shouldered the bulk of the support" for Ukraine, Barrot said.
He accused the Kremlin and its supporters on social media of seeking to discourage both Ukrainians and Europeans from continuing the fight.
"We are fighting a war on the battlefield, but also in people's minds," he said.
The French minister's assessment comes as Washington pressures Kyiv to stop striking Russian oil refineries. U.S. officials have reportedly threatened to suspend intelligence sharing and weapons supplies if Ukraine continues the attacks.
Barrot's statement did not specify which categories of intelligence were included in his estimate or whether European capabilities could replace particular U.S. intelligence services.
France has also pledged further military support for Ukraine, including weapons production licenses and cooperation on air defense technology.