Credited from: LATIMES
The United States and Russia have agreed to reestablish high-level military-to-military dialogue following talks in Abu Dhabi on February 5, as stated by the US military. This marks an important step towards normalizing relations between the two countries, which had been particularly strained since the outbreak of the conflict in Ukraine in 2022. The US had previously suspended military communications with Moscow just before the invasion, according to Reuters and Channel News Asia.
The objective of renewing this military dialogue is to minimize the potential for miscalculations and escalation between the two nations. "Maintaining dialogue between militaries is an important factor in global stability and peace," stated the U.S. European Command, emphasizing the need for transparency and de-escalation, as reported by the Los Angeles Times and Le Monde.
The discussions in Abu Dhabi included U.S. General Alexus Grynkewich and senior military officials from both Russia and Ukraine, underscoring the ongoing complex negotiations aimed at achieving peace in Ukraine. Notably, this round of talks produced a prisoner exchange, marking progress amidst a challenging dialogue. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky remarked on the difficulties of the negotiations while advocating for quicker results, highlighting the urgency due to the humanitarian crisis stemming from the conflict, according to Los Angeles Times and Le Monde.