Among the many shocking news coming from every nook and cranny of the world, Russia, and the U.S. have brought some good news by resuming military-to-military communication.
Introduction
On February 5, 2026, the United States European Command (EUCOM) stated that the Commander of EUCOM General Alexus G. Grynkewich met Russian military officials in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. General Grynkewich also serves as the Supreme Allied Commander Europe (SACEUR). The EUCOM is a very important command that works very closely within the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), and has its headquarters at Stuttgart, Germany. The press release noted that “Gen. Grynkewich also has existing authorities in his role as NATO’s Supreme Allied Commander Europe, to maintain military-to-military dialogue with the Chief of the General Staff of the Russian Federation, Gen. Valery Gerasimov, to avoid miscalculation and to provide a means for avoiding unintended escalation by either side.” The U.S. Pentagon said that “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.”
Extension of New START
It is noteworthy here that on February 5, 2026, the New Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (New START) was to expire. The New START was signed between Russia and the U.S. on April 8, 2010, between the two great powers. The U.S. President Donald Trump refused the recommendation by the Russian President Vladimir Putin to extend the New START for a further year. President Trump argued that rather than extend “New START … we should have our nuclear experts work on a new, improved, and modernized treaty that can last long into the future.” With the resumption of the high-level military-to-military talks between Russia and the U.S., it can be well estimated that both powers could reach such a deal in the foreseeable future.
The U.S. political as well as military leadership has collectively realised the importance of the military-to-military contact between the two great powers. Some media analysts argued that due to the suspension of such communication, there were instances of the “Russian fighter jets and drones entering NATO airspace.” However, such arguments could not be taken as necessarily true, since air assets from Russia as well as NATO patrol together.
It is noteworthy that the U.S. and China maintain close military-to-military contacts and communication with each other, especially in the Western Pacific. The U.S. and China regularly meet under the framework of the Military Maritime Consultative Agreement (MMCA) and signed a significant instrument in 2014, i.e., the Memorandum of Understanding on Rules of Behaviour for Safety of Air and Maritime Encounters (RBSAME).
Analysis
The resumption of military-to-military communication between Russia and the U.S. is a welcome development that could significantly reduce the risk of inadvertent escalation of war as well as the chances of accidents. It is very much understandable that in the presence of modern high-tech weapon systems and supersonic speeds of air assets on the contemporary battlefield, the importance of military-to-military communication has increased manifold.
The U.S. military leaders fully respect and understand the importance and professionalism of the Russian Armed Forces. The more the military leaders from both sides talk to each other and maintain regular communications, the fewer are the chances of miscalculation and distrust.
Russia’s Special Military Operation in Ukraine could only end by honouring the full and complete implementation of the security guarantees mutually agreed upon by Russia and the Western leaders. Most importantly, the assurances given by the then U.S. Secretary of State James Baker when he made the promise about NATO of not moving a single inch eastward. The Realist scholars belonging to the American academia have been long arguing against the NATO expansion and inclusion of Ukraine in the defence pact. As per their view, such adventures could only infuriate Russia and make it more sensitive about its security. Also, the parties involved need to fully honour the Budapest Agreement and the Minsk Agreements for a permanent solution and sustainable peace in the Eurasian landmass.
Conclusions
The world needs peace. Regarding the resumption of Russia-U.S. military-to-military communication, the Pentagon rightly noted that “This channel will provide a consistent military-to-military contact as the parties continue to work towards a lasting peace.” To accomplish such an ambitious yet essential goal, it is incumbent upon great powers to benefit from the recent positive development between the U.S. and Russia of resuming their high-level military-to-military direct communications. The U.S. and Russia are responsible great powers, and the enhanced communication between their armed forces is a good omen for international peace, stability, and security.
A Western media reported that “The revived U.S.-Russia channel will allow Gen. Grynkewich, Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Dan Caine, and other American commanders to communicate regularly with the general staff of Gen. Valery Gerasimov and other Russian military leaders.” It means that now the high-level military leaders from both sides will be able to hold talks on a regular basis and could enhance cooperation.
In addition to the latest development, there is a dire need to establish hotlines and regular events like flag meetings and joint border patrols to ensure safe and secure borders between Russia, U.S., and NATO. Such ventures could significantly reduce the chances of unnecessary violence and confrontation.
Muhammad Ali Baig is a Research Fellow at the Institute of Strategic Studies, Islamabad (ISSI), Pakistan. He is a Ph.D. candidate and a distinguished graduate of National Defence University (NDU), Islamabad, Pakistan
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