The US military leadership tried to establish telephone conversations with Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu and General Valery Gerasimov
Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu (left photo) US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin (left photo) / Photo: Collage: Today
Over the past month, attempts by top United States defense and military leaders to talk to their Russian counterparts have been rebuffed by Moscow.
The Washington Post writes about this, referring to Pentagon Speaker John Kirby.
After the Russian invasion of Ukraine, Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin and General Mark A. Milley, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, tried to establish telephone conversations with Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu and General Valery Gerasimov, but the Russian side refused to dialogue.
Moscow and Washington maintain a channel for conflict resolution, but current and former officials say contact with senior military leaders is essential to avoid unnecessary escalation or confusion.
Rob Lee, a senior fellow at the US Institute for Foreign Policy Studies, said there are currently huge risks that bombing by Russian troops could be mistaken for NATO aircraft.
“Russia is striking targets in western Ukraine that are close to the border with NATO members, and the Ukrainian Air Force appears to continue to operate from the region, which means there is a risk that its aircraft could be mistaken for NATO aircraft through border,” he said.
US officials are concerned that Russian President Vladimir Putin may escalate the military in hopes of changing the trajectory of the war. As more dangerous weapons and tactics are deployed, the risks of wider conflict increase.
“The nightmare scenario could be a Russian missile or attack aircraft that would destroy a US command post on the Polish-Ukrainian border,” retired Admiral Stavridis said.
According to him, this could lead to a rapid and irreversible escalation, including the potential use of nuclear weapons.
Shoigu is missing
Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu stopped appearing in public space. The last time the head of the Ministry of Defense was in the news on March 11.
Prior to this, events with the personal participation of Shoigu took place every few days.
- On March 8, the press service of the Ministry of Defense reported that Shoigu spoke with the Turkish Minister of Defense.
- On March 4, the website reported on a conversation between the minister and the UN Secretary General.
- On March 1, the agencies published a statement by Shoigu that the Russian army would continue the war in Ukraine.
- On February 27, he attended a meeting with Putin.
- On February 24, the press service of the Ministry of Defense reported that Shoigu instructed to create “safe corridors for the Ukrainian military who laid down their arms.”
But not only Shoigu disappeared. After March 11, no events were reported with the participation of the head of the General Staff of the Russian Armed Forces Valery Gerasimov.
Source: Segodnya
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