U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth has ordered U.S. Cyber Command to halt offensive cyber operations against Russia in an effort to restore relations with Moscow and reach a peace agreement regarding Ukraine, the New York Times reported today.
The report, citing statements from a current official and two former officials familiar with the defense secretary’s order, states that this is apparently part of broader efforts to bring Russian President Vladimir Putin into negotiations on Ukraine and new relations with the United States.
The order to suspend offensive cyber operations against Russia was issued before the meeting between U.S. President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky at the White House, which ended in a heated exchange and without the expected signing of an agreement on Ukraine’s mineral resources.
The exact scope and duration of the Pentagon’s order remain unclear, as the line between offensive and defensive cyber operations is often ambiguous.
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Nevertheless, maintaining access to key Russian networks for intelligence purposes is crucial to understanding Putin’s intentions as he enters negotiations, as well as tracking discussions within Russia on which conditions to insist on and which concessions might be made, the New York Times noted.
Former officials pointed out that it is common for civilian leaders to order pauses in military operations during sensitive diplomatic negotiations to prevent them from being derailed.
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Source: Tanjug, Foto: Wikimedia Creative Commons