The United States and Russia have agreed to reestablish high-level military-to-military dialogue, according to a statement from US European Command on 5 February.
This was agreed during meetings in Abu Dhabi, where US-mediated trilateral negotiations between Ukraine, Russia, and the US aimed at finding a path to ending Russia’s war in Ukraine, and mark the first such channel since it was suspended in the fall of 2021, shortly before Russia launched its full-scale invasion.
US European Command said the decision follows recent diplomatic efforts led by Jared Kushner and US Special Envoy Steve Witkoff, which Washington described as progress toward President Donald Trump’s stated goal of ending the war in Ukraine.
The statement said the renewed channel is intended to provide “a means for increased transparency and de-escalation” and to help avoid “miscalculation” and “unintended escalation by either side.”
European Command said the dialogue would provide a consistent line of contact as efforts toward what it called a “lasting peace” continue, though it offered no details on the scope or frequency of the talks.
US European Command said US General Alexus Grynkewich is prepared to begin the renewed dialogue, framing it as a risk-management measure rather than a shift in US support for Ukraine.
The Institute for the Study of War has warned that Moscow is using the Abu Dhabi process to position itself as America's equal - pushing for bilateral dealings that sideline both Ukraine and European capitals.
