Wed Mar 19 06:34:00 UTC 2025: ## Trump Administration Halts Coordinated Effort to Counter Russian Sabotage and Cyberattacks
**Washington D.C.** – A coordinated U.S. national security effort to counter Russia’s campaign of sabotage, disinformation, and cyberattacks has been effectively halted under the Trump administration, according to a Reuters investigation. This decision raises concerns among former and current officials who warn of a significant weakening of defenses against potential Russian aggression.
The initiative, launched under the Biden administration in response to escalating Russian “hybrid warfare” tactics, involved at least seven national security agencies and close collaboration with European allies. Working groups were established to monitor and disrupt plots targeting both the U.S. and Europe. These efforts included intelligence sharing, joint investigations, and plans to address sabotage attacks.
However, since President Trump’s inauguration, regular meetings have ceased, and cross-agency coordination has stalled. The Trump administration has not publicly addressed the halt, offering only vague statements about addressing threats to Americans. While the White House maintains that intelligence sharing with some allies like the UK continues, the extent of cooperation with other European nations remains unclear.
The suspension coincides with a broader shift in U.S. policy toward Russia and Ukraine, marked by Trump’s apparent favoritism towards Moscow and suggestions of a truce that could benefit Russia. This has raised fears that Ukraine might be forced into an unfavorable agreement. Critics argue that de-prioritizing the counter-sabotage effort leaves the U.S. vulnerable to further attacks.
The Kremlin, meanwhile, claims the move reflects the Trump administration’s efforts to eliminate ineffective initiatives. They deny Western accusations of sabotage.
The Biden administration’s efforts included warnings to Russia about the potential consequences of continued attacks, including the possibility of designating Russia a state sponsor of terrorism. The heightened concern stemmed from intelligence indicating potential attacks on U.S. airspace. While no such attacks materialized and sabotage incidents in Europe decreased towards the end of 2024, intelligence officials warn that Russia is likely to continue its hybrid warfare as long as Western support for Ukraine persists.
The halt to the counter-sabotage effort comes amid the dissolution of other Russia-focused projects within the U.S. government, including an FBI effort to counter election interference and a Department of Justice team targeting Russian oligarch assets. The long-term implications of this shift in strategy remain uncertain, but experts express serious apprehension about the potential consequences.
First Piper 