US defence chief pauses cyber offensive against Russia

US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has ordered a pause on all of the country's cyber operations against Russia, including offensive actions, multiple US media reports said on Sunday.

The order was part of an overall reevaluation of US operations against Moscow, according to the New York Times, with the duration or extent of the pause unclear.

The Pentagon declined to comment when queried by AFP.

"Due to operational security concerns, we do not comment nor discuss cyber intelligence, plans, or operations," a senior defense official said.

"There is no greater priority to Secretary Hegseth than the safety of the Warfighter in all operations, to include the cyber domain."

The reported change comes as US President Donald Trump has been pushing for negotiations to end the war in Ukraine, and days after the US leader berated his Ukrainian counterpart, Volodymyr Zelensky, in a stormy White House meeting.

Western countries have accused the Kremlin of masterminding a string of incidents aimed at trying to undermine support for Ukraine as it battles Russia's invasion.

Trump, meanwhile, has cast himself as a mediator between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Zelensky, sidelining Kyiv and Europe while pursuing rapprochement with Putin.

"We should spend less time worrying about Putin," Trump posted on his Truth Social platform late Sunday.

US National Security Adviser Mike Waltz, speaking Sunday to broadcaster CNN about reopening links to Russia, denied reports of the cyber policy change.

"That has not been part of our discussions," Waltz said. "There will be all kinds of carrots and sticks to get this war to an end."

Trump downplays 'worrying' over Putin rapprochement

US President Donald Trump responded Sunday to criticism over his increasing closeness to Russia on Ukraine, saying the United States should worry "less" about Vladimir Putin.

"We should spend less time worrying about Putin, and more time worrying about migrant rape gangs, drug lords, murderers, and people from mental institutions entering our Country - So that we don't end up like Europe!" Trump posted to his Truth Social platform Sunday night.

Trump's stunning shift in approach to the war and Russia was on full display days earlier when he berated Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky in front of reporters at the White House.

The unprecedented public spat -- with Trump calling the Ukrainian leader "disrespectful" -- resulted in Zelensky leaving the White House without the anticipated signing of a pact on sharing mineral rights.

Trump's growing closeness with Putin has rung alarm bells across Europe as well as among the US Democratic Party, who have raised national security concerns.

"The White House has become an arm of the Kremlin," said Democratic Senator Chris Murphy, who has emerged as one of Trump's most outspoken critics.

"It appears America is trying to align itself with dictators," he earlier told CNN.

Trump's Republican party, meanwhile, has largely fallen in line behind him, with top officials suggesting Zelensky steps down to ensure a peace deal with Moscow.

"We need a leader that can deal with us, eventually deal with the Russians, and end this war," National Security Advisor Mike Waltz told CNN on Sunday.