Hegseth Orders Halt Of US Cyber-Offensive Against Russia

US President Donald Trump administration’s Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth has ordered the halt of offensive cyber operations against Russia in new guidance to US Cyber Command.

The reasons for the instruction has not been publicly stated, and it is not clear how long the halt might last. The defence department has declined to comment.

The directive reportedly came before Trump ended up in a televised row with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky at the White House on Friday.

Since returning to office, Trump has markedly softened the American position towards Moscow in eagerness to reach a deal to end the war – following Russia’s full-scale invasion more than three years ago.

He appeared to echo Moscow’s justification for starting the war and announced plans to meet his counterpart, President Vladimir Putin.

The US has also sided with Russia during recent votes at the United Nations related to the war.

At the same time, Trump has labelled Zelensky a dictator, and accused the other man of “gambling with World War Three” during Friday’s blow-up in the Oval Office.

It leaves questions over the strength of the US fightback in the cyber arena against alleged Russian hacking, election interference and sabotage efforts that have targeted the Western nations which have sided with Ukraine during the war.

BBC/Ejiofor Ezeifeoma