The dialogue was frozen in 2021 due to the escalation of the Ukraine conflict
Russia and the US have agreed to resume crucial high-level military dialogue during the ongoing Ukraine peace talks in Abu Dhabi, Washington’s military command in Europe (EUCOM) stated on Thursday.
The announcement coincides with the expiration of the New START treaty on February 5, the last nuclear agreement restricting US and Russian arsenals. The matter is also being discussed in the UAE capital, according to Axios.
According to the EUCOM press, the decision to renew contacts followed meetings between the top US and NATO military commander in Europe, Gen. Alexus Grynkewich, and Moscow’s delegation, led by Admiral Igor Kostyukov, the head of Russia’s military intelligence.
“Maintaining dialogue between militaries is an important factor for global stability and peace,” the statement said, adding that it also contributes to “enhanced transparency and de-escalation.”
The dialogue was frozen in late 2021, according to EUCOM.
“This channel will offer a consistent military-to-military contact as the parties continue to strive for a lasting peace,” it added.
The escalation of the Ukraine conflict in February 2022 occurred just weeks after Washington and NATO rejected a proposal by Moscow for a treaty to establish security guarantees for Europe and alleviate Russia’s concerns about the expansion of the US-led military bloc towards its borders. Russian President Vladimir Putin has since repeatedly urged global leaders to return to the negotiating table and discuss a “new, reliable, and fair architecture of European and global security,” that could satisfy all parties.
Moscow is also prepared to continue “constructive” dialogue with the US on nuclear control, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on Thursday, commenting on the expiration of the New START treaty.
The key agreement, which limits and monitors the numbers of nuclear warheads and launchers in the US and Russian nuclear triads, expired on Thursday.
Putin’s recent offer to extend some of the treaty’s provisions had been “deliberately left unanswered,” the Russian Foreign Ministry said the day before.
However, according to Axios, the two countries’ delegations in Abu Dhabi have almost finalized an informal, half-year extension of the treaty’s armament limits. The draft plan still requires agreement from both presidents, the outlet reported on Thursday, citing two sources familiar with the talks.