Trump halts efforts to counter Russia's hybrid war
Photo: US President Donald Trump (Getty Images)
Several US national security agencies have halted efforts to counter Russia's hybrid warfare. This includes countering sabotage, disinformation, and cyberattacks, Reuters reports.
According to the media resource, the US has suspended efforts, easing pressure on Russia, amid efforts by the Donald Trump administration to end the war in Ukraine.
Former President Joe Biden instructed his national security team last year to create task forces to monitor this issue, amid warnings from US intelligence that Russia was intensifying its shadow war against Western countries.
Seven former officials told Reuters that the plan was developed under the National Security Council's leadership and involved at least seven national security agencies working with European allies to disrupt plots targeting Europe and the US. According to officials, before Donald Trump's inauguration, his new administration was briefed on this.
However, as noted by 11 current and former officials, a significant part of the work has come to a standstill. Regular National Security Council meetings with European officials became unscheduled, and the National Security Council also stopped officially coordinating efforts among US agencies, including the FBI, Department of Homeland Security, and State Department.
Reuters could not determine whether Trump ordered the administration to halt all work monitoring and countering the Russian campaign, whether agencies are still working on hiring additional personnel, or whether they are making independent political decisions unrelated to the White House.
Some officials expressed concern that the new administration is de-prioritizing this issue despite intelligence warnings. These changes follow the unwinding of other Russia-related projects initiated by the Biden administration.
For example, last month, the FBI halted efforts to counter interference in US elections, including from Russia, and put employees working on this issue at the Department of Homeland Security on leave. The Justice Department also disbanded a group focused on seizing assets of Russian oligarchs.
It is unclear to what extent the US is still sharing intelligence related to sabotage activities with European allies. UK government officials stated that intelligence-sharing between the US continues.
A senior US official at NATO said that the US is still coordinating its actions with its allies on this issue but declined to provide further details.
Trump and Putin's conversation
On March 18, US President Donald Trump and Russian dictator Vladimir Putin had a phone conversation. The conversation lasted over two hours and concerned, among other things, Russia's war against Ukraine.
Afterward, Trump stated that his talks with Putin were very good and productive. He emphasized that Putin allegedly agreed to an immediate ceasefire concerning energy and infrastructure. However, by the evening of March 18, Russians once again attacked Ukraine with drones and missiles.
Putin also mentioned the need to halt Ukraine's mobilization and the rearming of the Ukrainian Armed Forces in the event of a ceasefire.
Sources from RBC-Ukraine in the Presidential Office stressed that the Russian dictator essentially rejected the ceasefire proposal.
To get more details on Trump and Putin's conversation and what it means for Ukraine, read our material on the topic.
