Pentagon Halted Cyber Operations Against Russia Before Trump-Zelensky Meeting Amid Peace Talks Push

Decision Aimed at Encouraging Moscow to Join Negotiations, Reports Say

Washington, D.C. | March 3, 2025

In a move that has raised eyebrows within the U.S. defense and intelligence community, the Pentagon was reportedly ordered to halt offensive cyber operations against Russia just before a tense meeting between U.S. President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in Washington. The decision, reportedly made to encourage Moscow to engage in peace negotiations, was revealed in a New York Times (NYT) report, citing multiple U.S. officials familiar with the matter.

The directive was issued by U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and relayed to U.S. Cyber Command on the same day that Zelensky met Trump in the Oval Office on February 28, 2025. While the full scope of the pause remains unclear, the NYT report indicates that the move was part of diplomatic efforts to facilitate a ceasefire in Ukraine following Russia’s invasion.

Decision Met with Criticism from Cybersecurity Experts

According to cybersecurity publication ‘The Record’, which first reported the halt, the decision has sparked concern among U.S. national security officials, who have long been wary of Russia’s cyber aggression. In recent years, Moscow has repeatedly attempted to breach American networks, with increasing incidents of ransomware attacks on critical infrastructure, hospitals, and municipal institutions.

Cybersecurity analysts argue that pausing counter-offensive operations could embolden Russian state-sponsored hackers, allowing them to ramp up espionage and cyber warfare efforts.

“Russia has maintained a consistent strategy of cyber intrusion into U.S. institutions. Any disruption to counter-offensive measures only provides them with more opportunities to escalate their operations,” said John Spencer, a former senior cybersecurity adviser at the National Security Agency (NSA).

Zelensky Asserts ‘No Compromise’ with Putin

During his Oval Office meeting with President Trump, Zelensky strongly opposed any compromise with Russian President Vladimir Putin, insisting that Ukraine would not accept peace at the cost of its sovereignty.

“There should be no compromises with Putin. Russia must face consequences for its aggression,” Zelensky said, according to sources present at the meeting.

Tensions between Trump and Zelensky reportedly escalated during their discussions, particularly over U.S. support for Ukraine’s military and financial aid commitments. Trump has previously expressed skepticism over long-term U.S. assistance to Kyiv, a stance that has raised concerns among U.S. allies.

Growing Concerns Over U.S. Foreign Policy Shift

The reported halt in cyber operations against Russia is also being viewed as part of a larger shift in U.S. foreign policy under the Trump administration. This has alarmed global leaders, including UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk, who voiced concerns over the direction of U.S. diplomacy.

Speaking at a UN meeting in Geneva, Turk refrained from directly mentioning Trump but emphasized a “fundamental shift in Washington’s approach”, warning that U.S. policy changes could have global consequences.

Russia’s Cyber Threats Remain a Major Concern

Despite the Pentagon’s temporary pause in cyber operations, Russia has continued its cyber warfare tactics. U.S. intelligence agencies have flagged several recent cyber threats, including:

• Ransomware attacks targeting U.S. hospitals and financial institutions
• Attempts to breach government networks
• Disinformation campaigns aimed at influencing public opinion in Western democracies

“Russia sees cyber warfare as an essential tool in its geopolitical strategy,” said cybersecurity expert Rebecca Caldwell. “Any easing of U.S. countermeasures only gives Moscow more room to maneuver.”

What’s Next?

While the Pentagon has yet to comment on the extent and duration of the pause, national security experts argue that such decisions must be carefully calibrated to ensure that diplomatic efforts do not come at the cost of national security.

As peace negotiations between Russia and Ukraine continue, it remains to be seen whether the temporary cyber operation pause will yield any diplomatic breakthroughs or further escalate cyber threats against the U.S. and its allies.