The U.S. Secretary of Defense Pat Hegseth has ordered the U.S. Cyber Command to cease offensive operations against Russia, according to The New York Times. Officials have indicated that this move appears to be part of broader efforts to engage Russian President Vladimir Putin in negotiations regarding Ukraine and to establish new relations with the United States.
It is noted that Hegseth's directives, which were part of a larger reassessment of all operations against Russia, were issued prior to President Donald Trump's dispute with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in the Oval Office on Friday.
At the same time, the NYT emphasizes that maintaining access to key Russian networks for espionage purposes is crucial for understanding Putin's intentions in negotiations and for monitoring the discussions within Russia about what conditions to insist on and what can be conceded.
Officials pointed out that leaders sometimes order a suspension of military operations during delicate diplomatic negotiations to avoid jeopardizing them. Nevertheless, such a decision represents a significant gamble.
"Essentially, Trump is counting on Putin to reciprocate by ending the 'shadow war' against the United States and its traditional allies in Europe," the publication notes.
Until now, the United States has played a central role in assisting European countries in their fight against Russia, often through covert cyber operations, but this cooperation may now be at risk. Many of these operations are conducted from the British government's communication hub. They may continue this work while the United States shifts its focus to China.
The U.S. Eases Sanctions on Russia
Earlier, the U.S. Department of Justice disbanded a task force that was responsible for ensuring compliance with sanctions imposed against Russia and for prosecuting oligarchs close to the Kremlin.
It was also reported that the U.S. is developing a project to restart the Russian gas pipeline "Nord Stream 2" to Europe with the support of American investors.