- The Trump administration has ordered a pause on U.S. offensive cyber operations against Russia, part of diplomatic efforts to end the Ukraine war. The directive, issued by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, raises questions about U.S. countermeasures against Russian cyber threats.
- The decision comes despite U.S. intelligence warnings of ongoing Russian cyber threats, including espionage, disinformation campaigns and potential attacks on critical infrastructure.
- Lawmakers have criticized the move, citing national security concerns. However, Trump’s national security team defended the approach as a means to create leverage for negotiations with Russia.
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The Trump administration has paused U.S. offensive cyber operations against Russia as part of its efforts to reach a diplomatic settlement in Ukraine. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth issued the directive to U.S. Cyber Command in late February, instructing a halt to offensive cyber and information warfare operations targeting Russia.
Officials have not publicly explained the reasoning behind the decision or provided a timeline for when the operations may resume.
A senior defense official, declining to comment on operational security concerns, emphasized that the “safety of the warfighter in all operations, including the cyber domain,” remains a top priority. The move raised questions about how the U.S. will counter Russian cyber threats, which U.S. intelligence agencies have warned remain active.
What impact does this decision have?
The decision comes as the U.S. intelligence community continues to warn that Russia poses an ongoing cyber threat. The Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI) labeled Russia “an enduring global cyber threat” in its 2024 threat assessment, citing cyber espionage, disinformation campaigns and potential attacks on critical infrastructure in the U.S. and allied nations.
Microsoft’s 2024 Digital Defense Report also found that Russian hackers have intensified operations targeting Ukraine and NATO countries.
Despite these warnings, the U.S. Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) stated that its mission to defend against cyber threats, including those from Russia, remains unchanged.
How does this fit into Trump’s broader strategy on Russia and Ukraine?
Since returning to office, President Donald Trump has softened the U.S. stance toward Russia, seeking to open diplomatic channels and push for a ceasefire in Ukraine. His administration recently engaged in direct talks with Russian officials in Saudi Arabia—without Ukrainian participation.
Trump has also suggested meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin and has downplayed Ukraine’s NATO ambitions, aligning with Russia’s long-standing opposition to Kyiv’s alliance membership.
Tensions between Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy escalated after an Oval Office meeting last week, where Trump criticized Zelenskyy for his “strong rhetoric” against Putin. The dispute delayed the signing of a deal that would have granted the U.S. a significant ownership stake in Ukraine’s rare-earth minerals, which are crucial for technology and defense industries.
How have US lawmakers responded?
The decision to halt cyber operations has drawn sharp criticism from lawmakers. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer called the move “a critical strategic mistake,” accusing Trump of trying to earn favor with Putin. At the same time, Russia continues cyber operations and ransomware attacks against U.S. infrastructure. Schumer warned that scaling back U.S. cyber activities could weaken national security and economic stability.
Meanwhile, Trump’s national security team has defended the decision. Secretary of State Marco Rubio suggested that a more diplomatic approach toward Russia could create leverage to bring Moscow to the negotiating table.
National Security Adviser Mike Waltz denied that a formal policy change had been made, but acknowledged that the administration has used “carrots and sticks” to push toward a resolution in Ukraine.
What happens next?
It remains unclear whether the pause in cyber operations is temporary or signals a broader shift in U.S. strategy toward Russia. With ongoing concerns about election interference and threats to critical infrastructure, cybersecurity experts warned that scaling back U.S. cyber capabilities could leave the nation vulnerable.
As negotiations over Ukraine continue, Trump’s approach to Russia—and its implications for U.S. national security—will remain under close scrutiny.
