March 2, 2025 – In a surprising move, U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has ordered the U.S. Cyber Command to suspend all offensive cyber operations targeting Russia, signaling a potential thaw in U.S.-Moscow relations amid ongoing tensions over Ukraine. The directive, first reported by The New York Times and corroborated by multiple sources, comes as part of a sweeping reevaluation of Pentagon strategies against Russia, raising questions about the Trump administration’s broader foreign policy goals.
The Order: A Shift in Cyber Strategy
According to The New York Times, Hegseth’s instructions were issued in late February 2025, relayed to Cyber Command chief General Timothy Haugh, who oversees both the command and the National Security Agency (NSA). The order explicitly halts offensive digital actions—such as disrupting Russian malware or countering influence campaigns—but does not affect the NSA’s intelligence-gathering efforts on Russia. The Times of Israel echoed this, framing the decision as an effort to “renew relations and achieve talks with Moscow on Ukraine,” citing a current official and two former officials familiar with the matter.
The Record, a cybersecurity-focused outlet, broke the story on February 28, noting that Hegseth’s directive was communicated to outgoing Cyber Command operations director Maj. Gen. Ryan Heritage. Sources told The Record that the command has begun a risk assessment to evaluate the impact of paused missions and ongoing Russian cyber threats, though the full scope and duration of the halt remain unclear.
Timing and Context: Before the Trump-Zelensky Clash
Notably, Hegseth’s order predates President Donald Trump’s heated Oval Office confrontation with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on February 28, 2025. The New York Times and Times of Israel both highlight this timeline, suggesting the cyber pause was not a direct reaction to the public fallout—where Trump and Vice President JD Vance clashed with Zelensky over Ukraine’s stance on peace talks—but part of a premeditated policy shift. Trump’s post-meeting remarks, urging Zelensky to focus on peace rather than criticizing Russian President Vladimir Putin, align with speculation that the administration is prioritizing diplomacy with Moscow.
NBC News reported that Hegseth’s decision coincides with Trump’s efforts to “re-establish diplomatic channels with Russia,” including restoring embassy staffing and initiating peace talks in Saudi Arabia last month. This cyber pause could be a goodwill gesture to entice Putin to the negotiating table, especially as the U.S. seeks to resolve the Ukraine conflict on terms that some observers, per The Washington Post, see as favoring Russia.
Implications for Cybersecurity and National Defense
The U.S. Cyber Command, established in 2009, plays a pivotal role in countering global cyber threats, with Russia remaining a top adversary. Past operations have included disrupting Russian hacking groups and thwarting election interference, as noted by The New York Times. Halting these efforts—even temporarily—carries risks. James A. Lewis, a former U.S. cyber negotiator quoted in The Washington Post, called it a “prudent tactical step” to avoid derailing talks but warned, “If we take our foot off the gas pedal and they take advantage, we could put national security at risk.”
The Washington Post added that the paused operations are not overtly aggressive—think disabling malware before it strikes rather than launching crippling attacks—but losing visibility into Russian networks could hinder U.S. defenses. A former senior defense official told the outlet, “If the pause is for days or weeks, it’s not so serious; if it’s months or permanent—that’s serious.” Meanwhile, the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) has reportedly shifted some focus away from Russia to other threats, though it insists its mission remains unchanged.
A Broader Reevaluation Under Hegseth
Hegseth, sworn in as Defense Secretary in January 2025, has moved quickly to align the Pentagon with Trump’s “America First” agenda. The New York Times described the cyber halt as part of a “larger re-evaluation of all operations against Russia,” reflecting Hegseth’s push to prioritize lethality and readiness over what he’s called divisive policies. This aligns with his earlier pledge, reported by PBS News, to eliminate DEI programs and focus on border security—evidenced by the deployment of nearly 2,000 troops to the U.S.-Mexico border in recent weeks.
The directive also fits into a pattern of softening U.S. posture toward Russia. The Washington Post noted that the Trump administration has dismantled some FBI efforts to counter Russian propaganda, suggesting a broader retreat from the “shadow war” with Moscow. Whether Putin reciprocates remains uncertain, especially given Russia’s intensified cyber operations against Ukraine and NATO allies, as highlighted by NBC News.
Reactions and Uncertainty
The Pentagon has stayed tight-lipped, with a senior official telling NBC News, “There is no greater priority to Secretary Hegseth than the safety of the warfighter in all operations, to include the cyber domain,” while declining to elaborate due to “operational security concerns.” Critics, however, see the move as a gamble. The line between offensive and defensive cyber actions is blurry, and retaining access to Russian networks is vital for espionage, per The New York Times—making this a high-stakes play for diplomatic leverage.
For Ukraine, already reeling from the Oval Office spat, the cyber halt could signal waning U.S. support. Zelensky’s insistence on security guarantees over a ceasefire, reported by Ukrinform, now faces a White House seemingly eager to pivot toward Moscow. European allies, pushing their own peace plans, may need to fill the gap if U.S. policy continues this trajectory.
What’s Next?
As of March 2, 2025, the duration of Hegseth’s order is unknown, leaving Cyber Command’s 5,800 personnel and thousands more in related units in limbo. The Record estimates that hundreds to thousands of experts could be affected, depending on how broadly the directive is applied. With Russia still a hub of state-sponsored cybercrime, per SiliconANGLE, the stakes are high for both national security and international relations.
This move underscores a pivotal moment for the Trump administration: a bid to reset ties with Russia at the expense of a cornerstone of U.S. cyber defense. Whether it paves the way for peace talks or emboldens Moscow’s digital aggression remains to be seen. For now, the Pentagon’s cyber warriors stand down, and the world watches.
