(CLO) US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has ordered the Pentagon to stop cyber attacks against Russia, according to US media reports.
The order was issued ahead of a tense February 28 Oval Office debate between President Donald Trump, Vice President JD Vance and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
The order is said to be aimed at encouraging Russia to enter negotiations to end the war in Ukraine, but some officials say it is necessary to maintain access to Russian networks to monitor President Vladimir Putin’s strategy as well as Moscow’s internal reactions to the proposals for talks.
US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth. Photo: GI
Pausing cyber operations is not uncommon amid diplomatic negotiations. The Pentagon has played a key role in countering destabilizing cyber operations, but Hegseth’s order could put additional pressure on European allies.
Speaking on ABC's This Week, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio stressed the need to bring Russia to the negotiating table, although it was unclear whether Mr Putin was willing to negotiate.
He also defended easing pressure on Moscow, including the Trump administration's removal of the designation of Russia as an "aggressor" from a United Nations resolution.
Mr Rubio, who took a hard line on Russia in the Senate, rejected the criticism and said the Trump administration was implementing its negotiating strategy in the most effective way. "You can't end a war without bringing both sides to the table, and that's what the president is trying to do," he said.
Ngoc Anh (according to NYT, The Record, Independent)
Source: https://www.congluan.vn/bo-tu-lenh-khong-giant-mang-my-dung-cac-hoat-dong-chong-lai-nga-post336850.html
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