US, Russia to Reestablish High-Level Military-to-Military Dialogue

The United States and Russia have agreed to reestablish high-level military-to-military dialogue, the U.S. military said on Thursday, following talks held in Abu Dhabi, more than four years after the channel was suspended.

In a statement, the United States European Command said the decision followed recent meetings in the United Arab Emirates’ capital between Gen. Alexus G. Grynkewich, Commander of U.S. European Command, and senior Russian and Ukrainian military officials.

“This channel of communication was suspended in the fall of 2021, just prior to the onset of the conflict,” the command said, referring to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

According to Reuters, the renewed dialogue is expected to reopen direct lines of communication between Washington and Moscow at a time of continued tension over the war in Ukraine and broader security concerns in Europe.

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U.S. officials said the talks in Abu Dhabi provided a platform for both sides to discuss military issues and reduce the risk of miscalculation, even as political relations remain strained.

Military-to-military contacts between the two countries were largely frozen after Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, further deepening the rift between the two nuclear-armed powers.

The U.S. European Command did not provide details on when the next round of talks would take place or the specific agenda but said the restored channel would focus on maintaining communication and stability.

(Reuters)