The United States and Russia have agreed to reestablish high-level military-to-military dialogue following talks in Abu Dhabi, marking a limited step toward restoring communication suspended before Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
The decision comes as diplomatic engagement continues alongside intensified fighting, with officials framing the move as a mechanism to reduce risks of miscalculation between two nuclear-armed powers.
The U.S. military said the agreement was reached after meetings involving Gen. Alexus Grynkewich, the commander of U.S. European Command, with senior Russian and Ukrainian military officials.
Washington halted regular military communication with Moscow just before Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, though an emergency deconfliction line remained in place.
In a statement, the U.S. military said the aim of reestablishing the channel was to avoid miscalculation and escalation by either side.
“Maintaining dialogue between militaries is an important factor in global stability and peace, which can only be achieved through strength, and provides a means for increased transparency and de-escalation,” the statement said.
U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin have spoken directly several times, maintaining a parallel line of political contact as formal military dialogue resumes.
The meetings in Abu Dhabi also included Ukrainian officials and followed earlier rounds of talks hosted by the United Arab Emirates.
The renewed dialogue comes as Russia continues attacks on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure and fighting persists along a roughly 1,000-kilometer front line in eastern and southern regions.
Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said 55,000 Ukrainian troops have been killed since the invasion, an increase from the last figure he disclosed earlier this year.
Ukrainian officials reported overnight drone and missile attacks that injured civilians in Kyiv and surrounding areas, while Russia said its air defenses intercepted Ukrainian drones over multiple regions.
Diplomatic efforts continued alongside the fighting, with U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner joining the Abu Dhabi discussions, and Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk arriving in Kyiv on Thursday.
Ukrainian officials have said no details of progress have been disclosed, while Zelenskyy reiterated that any settlement would require security guarantees from the United States and Europe.