Recently, U.S. officials revealed that Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has ordered a halt to planning by U.S. Cyber Command regarding Russia. This includes stopping any offensive digital actions against the country. It’s unclear how long this pause will last or the reasons behind it.
This change is significant as it comes during President Trump’s attempts to negotiate peace in the Russia-Ukraine conflict. Just two days before the directive, Trump had a tense discussion with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
A senior U.S. defense official explained that due to concerns about operational security, they cannot discuss cyber intelligence or plans. They emphasized that Secretary Hegseth prioritizes the safety of American forces in all operations, including in cyberspace.
During a recent appearance on “Face the Nation,” Republican Representative Mike Turner from Ohio expressed surprise at the news of the pause. He questioned its accuracy, citing the ongoing threats from Russia against the U.S. He also noted that there are many factors to consider in such decisions.
National security adviser Mike Waltz also mentioned that he was not aware of this directive. He indicated that discussions about pausing offensive cyber operations have not been part of their talks, suggesting that various strategies will be used to reach a resolution in the conflict.
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