The Trump administration has quietly dissolved its inter-agency working group tasked with developing strategies to pressure Russia into speeding up peace negotiations with Ukraine, Reuters reports. Formed in spring 2025 and staffed by officials from the National Security Council, State Department, Pentagon, Treasury, and intelligence agencies, the group lost traction in May amid internal changes and dwindling presidential support .
According to three unnamed U.S. officials, the group’s mission faltered as President Trump showed little interest in maintaining a confrontational stance toward Moscow. One insider stated, “It lost steam toward the end because the president wasn’t there. Instead of doing more, maybe he wanted to do less,” noting the group began folding shortly before a major staffing purge at the NSC removed key personnel focused on the Ukraine war.
The working group had explored measures including targeted economic incentives and covert operations aimed at reducing Russian influence. But no tangible actions emerged before NSC restructuring—including the departure of Andrew Peek, the NSC’s Europe and Russia adviser—undermined its mission.
European leaders are reportedly alarmed by the move, interpreting it as another example of a softer U.S. posture toward Moscow just ahead of a critical NATO summit. The disbandment follows earlier suspension of U.S. efforts to counter Russian disinformation and sabotage.
Despite setting such efforts aside, one official noted the option to reestablish pressure strategies remains open: “Trump could choose to adopt a firmer stance toward Russia regardless of the working group’s fate”. Republican lawmakers like Sen. Lindsey Graham have continued to push for tougher sanctions, citing Russia’s rejection of ceasefire proposals and persistent civilian attacks as justification.
The White House, State Department, Treasury, and Pentagon declined to comment, while Ukrainian and Russian embassies in Washington did not respond to requests for statements.
