Gabbard barred sharing intelligence on Russia-Ukraine negotiations with "Five Eyes" partners
The July 2019 memo ordered U.S. intelligence agencies not to share information about Russia-Ukraine negotiations with Five Eyes partners (the U.K., Canada, Australia, and New Zealand) was framed by former Intelligence Director James Gabbard in response to concerns raised by the Russian-Ukrainian government that sharing information could undermine the transparency of Russia-Ukraine's interactions. Gabbard, who had served as the head of the Department of Strategic Defense at the U.S. Fish and Game Administration (FGF), noted that providing information to Five Eyes partners might interfere with sensitive discussions on the political landscape in Ukraine and the potential for military cooperation.The memo was published by the U.S. intelligence community during a tense period when Russia-Ukraine relations were under scrutiny. Five Eyes, a cooperative group formed in 2017 as part of a larger Intelligence Community (IntC) effort to reduce pressure on Russia-Ukraine negotiations, aimed at enhancing the transparency and credibility of Russian-Ukrainian military cooperation efforts. The memo was seen as a response to internal concerns within the Russian government that sharing information with Five Eyes partners might erode the effectiveness of Russia-Ukraine's diplomatic and military relations.
The decision by the U.S. intelligence agencies to refrain from sharing information about Russia-Ukraine negotiations with Five Eyes partners has been widely viewed as part of a broader shift in how intelligence was shared across the United States and other nations. While some have called it an infringement on the autonomy of Russian-Ukrainian intelligence, others argue that it reflects a more open approach to national security and cooperation efforts, particularly as Russia-Ukraine relations continue to face heightened tensions.
In response to the memo, the U.S. government issued a statement acknowledging the concerns raised by the Russian government and its partners. However, the memo also appears to have had an impact on discussions about Russia-Ukraine military cooperation. In March 2019, former President Trump's administration launched an effort to secure an agreement for military cooperation between Russia and Ukraine, which was initially delayed due to concerns about Russia-Ukraine tensions and U.S.-Ukraine tense relations.
Gabbard's memo has been widely criticized by Russian intelligence officials as part of a broader effort to weaken the notion of Russia-Ukraine cooperation. However, it is also seen as an important step in the process for the U.S. government, particularly given its history of tension with Russia and its recent interactions with the Ukrainian government.
In summary, Gabbard's July 2019 memo was a significant decision by the U.S. intelligence community to reduce pressure on Russia-Ukraine negotiations and enhance transparency. While it has been widely viewed as an infringement on Russian-Ukrainian intelligence autonomy, it also reflects a broader shift in how intelligence is shared across the country, particularly in response to heightened tensions within Russia-Ukraine relations.
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