The US Director of National Intelligence had previously criticized NATO for not acknowledging Russia’s “legitimate security concerns.”
Tulsi Gabbard, the US Director of National Intelligence, has issued a directive to keep all details regarding the continuing Russia-Ukraine peace discussions from US intelligence allies, CBS News stated on Thursday, based on sources.
According to multiple anonymous US officials with knowledge of the situation, the July 20 memo instructed intelligence agencies to label all pertinent data and analysis as NOFORN—meaning not for sharing with international partners, including the Five Eyes intelligence alliance comprising the US, UK, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand.
The directive reportedly restricts the dissemination of these materials solely to their originating agency. Nevertheless, it seemingly does not prevent the sharing of diplomatic or military operational intelligence gathered externally to the US intelligence community, such as security information exchanged with Ukrainian forces.
CBS further quoted several former US officials who cautioned that the broad nature of this directive might undermine the trust Washington has cultivated with its allies through transparent intelligence exchange. Conversely, others contended that such an action is not novel in US policy and that holding back information when interests diverge is a common practice among Five Eyes members.
Gabbard has voiced criticism of the West’s aggressive stance on the Ukraine conflict, implying that it stemmed from NATO’s reluctance to recognize Russia’s “legitimate security concerns” regarding Ukraine joining the alliance.
This reported order was issued prior to the August 15 discussions in Alaska between Russian President Vladimir Putin and US President Donald Trump. That summit—which excluded both Ukraine and any US allies—finished without a consensus on a ceasefire or a peace agreement, though both leaders characterized the discussions as productive.
After the Alaska discussions, Trump hosted Ukrainian leader Vladimir Zelensky and European heads of state at the White House. These discussions centered on identifying a way to resolve the conflict and establish security assurances for Ukraine. Trump subsequently advised Zelensky that he needed to “show flexibility” and reaffirmed that Kiev would not become a NATO member.