Deputy Minister of the Security Council of Russia Oleg Khramov spoke with Rossiyskaya Gazeta about cyber security and the state of cooperation with the United States. He explained that Washington has stopped working with Moscow on cyber issues and has shut down the direct line of communication that once existed between the two nations. Khramov stated that the White House notified Moscow of an unilateral withdrawal from ongoing talks and the termination of their communication channel. According to Khramov, February marked a turning point after Russia and allied security bodies disrupted the activity of the REvil hacker group. In that period, Russian officials sent concrete proposals to the White House aimed at launching joint actions between the Security Council of the Russian Federation and the United States National Security Council. The goal was to defend the critical infrastructure of both countries from potentially devastating cyber incidents. Khramov added that the Kremlin and Washington established a joint working group to assess risk and coordinate defenses. As part of their collaboration, both sides exchanged inventories of the most critical information infrastructure objects in their respective territories. The exercise was intended to map exposure points, prioritize protective measures, and share high-priority indicators that could help prevent a cyber event from spiraling into a broad disruption. Within the broader context, observers note that the conversation about cyber defense never paused entirely. In a recent industry statement by Group-IB, analysts cautioned that declaring the REvil network fully neutralized would be premature. While significant takedowns have reduced the immediate threat, residual activity and rebranding by similar groups keep the risk alive. That assessment underscores the persistent need for robust collaboration and continuous monitoring across borders. From a policy perspective, the dialogue highlighted the tension between strategic risk management and diplomatic channels. Officials in both capitals acknowledge the complexity of achieving durable, verifiable cooperation in cyberspace. The episode also reflects broader questions about how allied nations can align on standards for critical infrastructure protection, incident response, and attribution frameworks that satisfy national security needs while encouraging legitimate cross-border information sharing. For readers in North America, the developments emphasize two practical takeaways. First, the importance of international partnerships in safeguarding networks that run power grids, financial systems, and communication networks. Second, the role of rapid, structured communication during a cyber crisis, which helps prevent misinterpretation and accelerates collective decision-making. Experts recommend that organizations assess their own readiness by reviewing incident playbooks, identifying single points of failure, and ensuring visibility into third-party dependencies. In short, resilience begins with clarity and preparedness at home while diplomacy shapes the broader defense posture. In summary, the brief exchange between Russian and American security leaders highlights a shift in the cyber security landscape. The withdrawal from direct talks signals a pause in bilateral negotiation, but the push for joint measures to protect critical infrastructure remains a topic of interest for security communities in Canada and the United States. Analysts will continue watching for any new channels of communication or new proposals that could reestablish a collaborative framework, restore mutual trust, and align operational practices across both sides. The conversation also serves as a reminder that cyber threats are not limited by borders and that proactive coordination is essential for reducing risk across allied nations. Sources attributed: statements from Oleg Khramov as reported by Rossiyskaya Gazeta; public remarks summarized by security observers; Group-IB industry report on REvil activity and its status.
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