The Trump administration has issued orders to suspend U.S. offensive cyber operations targeting Russia, a move reportedly aimed at encouraging Russian President Vladimir Putin to engage in diplomatic discussions over the war in Ukraine. According to The Record, U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth directed the halt, which is expected to remain in place indefinitely.
This decision comes in the wake of a heated Oval Office dispute on Friday between President Donald Trump, Vice President JD Vance, and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky over continued U.S. financial and military support for Ukraine. The previous Biden administration had strongly backed Ukraine, committing billions of dollars in aid and weaponry to counter Russian aggression.
However, the Trump administration’s shift in stance has raised uncertainty regarding America’s future role in the conflict.
Meanwhile, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced on Sunday that European nations would establish a “coalition of the willing” to continue providing support to Ukraine.
The extent of the U.S. cyber operations suspension remains unclear, but officials stress that understanding Russia’s objectives in Ukraine is crucial for assessing Moscow’s broader geopolitical strategy, particularly in the realm of cyber espionage.
Hegseth’s directive is reportedly part of a larger reassessment of Washington’s involvement in the war and its broader operations against Russia. While intelligence-gathering activities remain unaffected, the decision to halt offensive cyber operations is seen as a calculated risk. Trump has previously blamed Ukraine for the war and has labeled Zelensky a “dictator” who, in his view, is “not ready for peace.”
