A coordinated U.S. government effort to combat Russian sabotage, cyber attacks, and disinformation has come to a halt, raising concerns about Moscow’s unchecked influence as the Trump administration shifts its foreign policy approach. The move has led to the suspension of intelligence-sharing meetings, disrupted counter-sabotage operations, and diminished collaboration with European allies.
The initiative, which involved at least seven U.S. national security agencies, was launched under former President Joe Biden following intelligence warnings that Russia was intensifying its hybrid warfare against Western nations. Biden directed his national security team to form specialized working groups to monitor, counter, and disrupt Russian influence operations. The National Security Council, NSC coordinated efforts between U.S. agencies and European allies to track and prevent acts of sabotage.
Before President Donald Trump assumed office, Biden administration officials briefed his incoming team on the significance of these efforts and encouraged their continuation. However, since Trump’s inauguration on January 20, much of the initiative has stalled. Meetings between the NSC and European security officials remain unscheduled, and formal coordination between key U.S. agencies, including the FBI, Department of Homeland Security, and the State Department, has ceased.
Eleven current and former officials familiar with the matter reported that without formal coordination, the ability of U.S. agencies to track Russian sabotage and interference has been significantly weakened. The extent of the administration’s stance on Russian hybrid warfare remains uncertain, with no clear directive to either continue or formally end monitoring and countermeasures. Some agencies have chosen to operate independently, but officials involved in the effort have raised concerns that the administration is de-prioritizing intelligence warnings.
The halt in operations comes amid a broader rollback of Russia-focused initiatives. In February, the FBI terminated a program aimed at countering election interference by foreign adversaries, including Russia. The Department of Homeland Security placed staff working on disinformation-related matters on leave, while the Department of Justice disbanded a team responsible for seizing assets belonging to Russian oligarchs.
The White House has not provided any guidance to career officials on whether the cross-agency working groups will be reinstated. Meanwhile, uncertainty looms over whether intelligence-sharing arrangements with European allies will continue as they had under the previous administration.
While routine intelligence sharing with the United Kingdom remains intact, sources suggest that broader collaboration on countering Russian hybrid threats—including cyber attacks, infrastructure sabotage, and disinformation campaigns—has been scaled back. European officials have expressed concern that a reduced U.S. role in countering Moscow’s operations could leave the continent more vulnerable.
Security experts warn that suspending efforts to monitor Russian sabotage could pose significant risks. Over the last three years, Moscow has intensified its shadow war against Western nations, recruiting criminals in Europe for sabotage operations, including arson, bombings, and targeted assassinations. Intelligence reports indicate that Russia has also leveraged cyber attacks and influence campaigns to weaken Western support for Ukraine.
While the number of documented Russian sabotage attempts declined at the end of 2024, intelligence officials caution that Moscow’s hybrid warfare strategy is likely to continue as long as Western nations support Ukraine’s defense.
A senior U.S. official at NATO confirmed that Washington is still coordinating with its allies on countering Russian threats but declined to elaborate on the extent of ongoing efforts.
The White House referred inquiries about the policy shift to the National Security Council. NSC spokesperson Brian Hughes stated that the administration continues to assess and address threats against the U.S. and its allies. “President Trump has made it abundantly clear that any attack on the U.S. will be met with a disproportionate response,” Hughes said.
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Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov dismissed Western concerns, describing allegations of Russian sabotage in the U.S. and Europe as “unfounded.” Peskov stated that the Trump administration appears to be focusing on eliminating “ineffective and corrupt” programs initiated under Biden, calling the move “understandable.”
The pause in U.S. counter-sabotage efforts comes at a time when Trump has signaled a shift in policy toward Russia and Ukraine. In recent weeks, the administration has made statements and policy moves that some perceive as favoring Moscow. Trump has argued that prolonged Western involvement in Ukraine risks escalating into a larger global conflict and has pushed for negotiations with Russia.
On Tuesday, Russian President Vladimir Putin agreed to a temporary proposal by Trump for both Russia and Ukraine to halt attacks on each other’s energy infrastructure for 30 days. The Kremlin described the decision as a result of a lengthy phone discussion between the two leaders.
Western intelligence analysts caution that reducing U.S. efforts to track and counter Russian hybrid warfare could create blind spots in national security operations. Kori Schake, director of foreign and defense policy studies at the American Enterprise Institute, described the pause in operations as a dangerous move. “We’re choosing to blind ourselves to potential acts of war against us,” she said.
Since the full-scale invasion of Ukraine three years ago, Moscow has escalated its use of covert operations to undermine Western support for Kyiv. In the spring of 2024, a surge of arson attacks targeted infrastructure across Europe, including a warehouse in London linked to a Ukrainian-born businessman. Six individuals were charged with aggravated arson in a British court, with at least two admitting to accepting payments from a foreign intelligence service.
In response to these attacks, the Biden administration had directed U.S. intelligence agencies to increase collaboration with European counterparts, leading to the creation of specialized task forces. These teams worked to prevent Russian attacks, track criminal networks conducting sabotage, and implement measures such as longer prison sentences for those convicted of espionage.
Western officials also raised alarms about Moscow’s potential plans to target critical infrastructure beyond Europe. In mid-2024, U.S. intelligence collected information suggesting that Russia might attempt to detonate an incendiary device on a cargo or passenger aircraft over U.S. airspace. The intelligence prompted heightened security measures, including increased screening of cargo entering the United States.
Amid these developments, NATO and European intelligence officials remain on high alert. While sabotage attempts have declined in recent months, analysts argue that Moscow’s long-term strategy remains unchanged. A senior European intelligence official stressed that Russia’s hybrid warfare operations are designed to persist as long as the West continues supporting Ukraine.
As the Trump administration recalibrates its stance on Russia, the future of U.S. efforts to counter Moscow’s hybrid warfare remains uncertain. The White House has not addressed whether the dismantled programs will be replaced with alternative strategies.
In contrast to its Western allies, the administration has engaged in discussions with Moscow about increasing Russia’s diplomatic presence in Washington. One senior U.S. official disclosed that the White House is currently considering a proposal that would expand Russia’s embassy staff in the U.S.—a move that runs counter to previous efforts aimed at limiting Russian influence.
With European nations still grappling with the consequences of Russia’s covert operations, some officials fear that a lack of U.S. engagement could weaken collective security efforts. As intelligence officials continue to monitor the situation, the question remains whether the Trump administration will reinstate, replace, or abandon the counter-sabotage measures initiated under Biden.
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