US Agencies Halt Coordinated Efforts Against Russian Sabotage, Disinformation
Several U.S. national security agencies have reportedly paused their collaborative initiatives aimed at countering Russian sabotage, disinformation campaigns, and cyberattacks. This apparent shift in priorities raises concerns about a potential reduction in pressure on Moscow, particularly as the Trump Administration actively seeks to foster improved relations with Russia and negotiate an end to the conflict in Ukraine.
According to sources familiar with the matter, former President Joe Biden had directed his national security team to establish working groups dedicated to monitoring and addressing the escalating "shadow war" waged by Russia against Western nations. This directive stemmed from warnings issued by U.S. intelligence agencies highlighting the growing threat posed by Russia’s hybrid warfare tactics.
The coordinated effort, spearheaded by the National Security Council (NSC), involved the participation of at least seven national security agencies, collaborating closely with European allies to disrupt Russian plots targeting both Europe and the United States. These plots encompassed a wide range of activities, including physical sabotage of critical infrastructure, disinformation campaigns designed to sow discord and undermine trust in Western institutions, and cyberattacks aimed at disrupting essential services and stealing sensitive information.
Before President Donald Trump’s inauguration, Biden administration officials briefed the incoming administration on the existing efforts and emphasized the importance of continuing to monitor Russia’s hybrid warfare campaign. However, since Trump assumed office in January, much of the work has reportedly come to a standstill.
Multiple current and former officials, speaking on the condition of anonymity due to the classified nature of the information, have confirmed that regular meetings between the National Security Council and European national security officials have been suspended. Furthermore, the NSC has reportedly ceased formally coordinating efforts across U.S. agencies, including the FBI, the Department of Homeland Security, and the State Department.
The reasons behind the apparent pause in these coordinated efforts remain unclear. It is uncertain whether President Trump has explicitly ordered the administration to halt all work related to monitoring and combating Russia’s campaign, whether agencies are facing difficulties in hiring additional staff, or whether they are making independent policy decisions without explicit White House guidance.
Some officials involved in the working groups have expressed concerns that the Trump administration is deprioritizing the issue despite persistent intelligence warnings about the ongoing threat posed by Russia. This shift in focus coincides with the dismantling of other Russia-focused projects initiated by the Biden administration.
For instance, the FBI recently ended an effort to counter interference in U.S. elections by foreign adversaries, including Russia. Similarly, the Department of Homeland Security placed staff working on the issue on leave, and the Department of Justice disbanded a team responsible for seizing the assets of Russian oligarchs.
The White House has not provided any indication to career officials who previously participated in the coordinated efforts whether the cross-agency working groups will be reconstituted. This uncertainty raises concerns about the continuity of efforts to counter Russian aggression and protect U.S. national security interests.
The extent to which the U.S. is still sharing intelligence related to Russia’s sabotage campaign with European allies remains uncertain. While UK government officials have stated that routine intelligence sharing between the United States and the British government continues, questions persist about the broader level of cooperation and coordination.
When asked for comment about the suspension of the coordinated efforts, the White House deferred to the NSC. Brian Hughes, spokesperson for the National Security Council, asserted that the NSC coordinates with relevant agencies to assess and thwart threats posed to Americans. He further stated that President Trump has made it "abundantly clear" that any attack on the U.S. will be met with a "disproportionate response."
A senior U.S. official at NATO confirmed that the U.S. is still coordinating with its allies on the issue but declined to provide further details. The CIA, FBI, and the State Department declined to comment on the matter.
Anitta Hipper, EU Spokesperson for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, stated that she had no specific information to share regarding the suspension of some intelligence-sharing meetings. However, she affirmed that the EU is coordinating with NATO on countering hybrid threats, which encompass a wide range of activities, including physical sabotage of critical infrastructure and disinformation campaigns.
The reported pause in the cross-agency effort coincides with a broader shift in U.S. policy toward Europe and Ukraine under the Trump administration. These policy changes have stirred fears among some current and former U.S. and European officials that Ukraine may be forced into a truce that favors Russia.
In recent weeks, President Trump has made statements and policy moves that appear to favor Russia, drawing criticism from both Democrats and some Republicans. However, the president has argued that the conflict in Ukraine has the potential to escalate into World War Three and that improved relations with Russia are in America’s strategic interest.
Some analysts have warned that reducing efforts to counter Moscow’s hybrid war tactics would prove dangerous for the U.S. Kori Schake, the director of foreign and defense policy studies at the American Enterprise Institute, argued that such a move would be akin to "choosing to blind ourselves to potential acts of war against us."
Intelligence officials have noted a decline in the number of sabotage acts by Russia towards the end of 2024 but cautioned that they expect Moscow to continue its hybrid warfare tactics as long as Western support for Ukraine persists.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov responded to the reports of a pause in Washington’s efforts to track Russia’s hybrid warfare campaign by stating that the Trump administration was attempting to eliminate "everything ineffective, corrupt, and implausible." He also dismissed Western accusations that Russia commits sabotage in the U.S. and Europe as "empty and ephemeral" and lacking evidence.
The article further details specific instances of Russian sabotage operations in Europe, including arson attacks, attempted assassinations, and the planting of bombs on cargo aircraft. It also highlights Russia’s use of influence campaigns and cyber operations to undermine support for Ukraine.
The article concludes by noting that American intelligence agencies collected intelligence suggesting that Russia might detonate an incendiary device on a cargo or passenger aircraft over U.S. airspace, which prompted alarm in the U.S. While there was no clear evidence that Moscow had formulated a plan to attack inside the U.S., the FBI and the Department of Homeland Security crafted strategies for domestic agencies to increase screening of cargo entering the U.S.
