The United States government is actively considering lifting some sanctions on Russia as part of a plan to improve relations between Washington and Moscow. President Donald Trump has directed officials from the State Department and the Treasury Department to draft a list of sanctions that could be eased.

WASHINGTON — Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has paused offensive cyberoperations against Russia by U.S. Cyber Command, rolling back some efforts to contend with a key adversary even as national security experts call for the U.S. to expand those capabilities.

Democratic lawmakers are demanding an explanation from the Pentagon over an order to pause offensive cyber operations against Russia during negotiations aimed at ending the war in Ukraine. The pause in such cyber operations,

As his White House meeting with his Ukrainian counterpart devolved into a stunning blowup, President Donald Trump leaned on a familiar refrain to explain his unique kinship with Russian leader Vladimir Putin.

The Russia-Ukraine war continues to spell "big trouble" for Moscow regardless of whether Ukraine receives any U.S. military aid, according to retired U.S. Army General Ben Hodges, who said the U.S. freeze could even sting Russia on the battlefield in the long run.