Abu dhabi: The United States and Russia have agreed to re-establish high-level military contacts for the first time since 2021, the US European Command announced on Thursday. This development occurred during trilateral peace talks in Abu Dhabi, aimed at resolving the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, where General Alexus G. Grynkewich of the command met with senior Russian and Ukrainian military officials.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, U.S. Special Envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, son-in-law of U.S. President Donald Trump, also participated in these discussions to end the conflict in Ukraine. The communication channel between top military officials from the U.S. and Russia was severed in late 2021, prior to the Russian invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.
The U.S. European Command emphasized the importance of maintaining dialogue between militaries as a key factor in achieving global stability and peace. It provides a means for increased transparency and de-escalation. The command’s statement outlined that this renewed channel will ensure consistent military-to-military contact as the involved parties work towards a lasting peace.
General Grynkewich is also authorized to maintain military dialogue with Russia’s Chief of General Staff Valery Gerasimov, given his role as commander-in-chief of NATO forces in Europe. This is aimed at preventing miscalculations and avoiding unintended escalation by either side.
Since the onset of the Ukraine war in 2022, Moscow and Washington have only maintained limited contact, primarily through telephone conversations between defense ministers and chiefs of staff. President Trump is working to re-establish bilateral contacts at different levels, having spoken with President Putin multiple times and meeting him in Alaska in August 2025. Despite these efforts, and the recent talks, a ceasefire has not yet been achieved.