Main points
- The US and Russia are resuming high-level military dialogue for the first time since 2021 after talks in Abu Dhabi.
- General Alexus Hrinkiewicz of the US European Command met with Russian and Ukrainian military officials to discuss peace in Ukraine.
US and Russia resume high-level dialogue / Channel 24 collage
US and Russian officials have agreed to resume high-level military dialogue for the first time since 2021.
This was reported by the US European Command.
What is known about the resumption of high-level military dialogue between the US and Russia?
The US European Command noted that after productive and constructive progress in peace negotiations in Ukraine, led on the American side by Donald Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner and special envoy Steve Witkoff, the US and Russia agreed in Abu Dhabi on February 5 to resume high-level military dialogue.
This communication channel was suspended in the fall of 2021, just before the start of the conflict (full-scale war in Ukraine – Channel 24). Its restoration followed meetings in the capital of the United Arab Emirates between General Alexus Hrynkevich, commander of the US European Command, and senior military officials from Russia and Ukraine,
– the message says.
The US military stressed that supporting military-to-military dialogue is an important factor in global stability and peace, which can only be achieved through force. It also provides a means to increase transparency and de-escalation.
“This channel will ensure constant military-to-military contact as the parties continue to work towards achieving a lasting peace,” the US military stressed.
The US European Command noted that General Hrinkevich also has the authority, as Supreme Allied Commander Europe, to maintain military dialogue with the Chief of the General Staff of the Russian Army, General Valery Gerasimov, to avoid miscalculations and provide the means to prevent unintended escalation from either side.
How did the recent peace talks in Abu Dhabi go?
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The second day of trilateral peace talks between Ukraine, Russia, and the United States took place in Abu Dhabi, UAE, on February 5. The head of the Ukrainian delegation, Rustem Umerov, noted that the conversation was constructive, and all details have already been conveyed to President Volodymyr Zelensky.
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US Presidential Special Representative Steve Witkoff, commenting on the peace talks, said that there is still much work to be done. However, he said that there are already some tangible results and progress in diplomacy.
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It is worth noting that one of the results of the negotiations was the first major prisoner exchange in 2026. 157 Ukrainians, including military and civilians, were returned home.