Gen. Alexus Grynkewich, head of U.S. European Command and NATO supreme allied commander, speaks during a press conference at NATO headquarters in Brussels on Sept. 12, 2025. (NATO)

The United States and Russia will maintain high-level military-to-military dialogue for the first time since 2021, with the reopening of a direct communication channel that was suspended ahead of the Kremlin’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

The agreement was reached during meetings this week in the United Arab Emirates involving Gen. Alexus Grynkewich, commander of U.S. European Command, and counterparts from Russia and Ukraine, EUCOM said in a statement Thursday.

President Donald Trump’s special envoy Steve Witkoff and senior White House adviser Jared Kushner also participated in the talks, EUCOM said.

“Maintaining dialogue between militaries is an important factor in global stability and peace,” EUCOM said without identifying specific topics expected to be discussed under the restored channel.

It will provide consistent military contact as the sides pursue a potential path toward ending the war in Ukraine, the statement added.

Dialogue between the U.S. and Russian militaries was suspended in the fall of 2021 amid tensions leading up to Moscow’s full-scale invasion the following February.

Since then, the U.S. and its European allies have significantly increased troop presence along NATO’s eastern flank, citing the need to deter further aggression by Moscow. The buildup has raised the risks of an unplanned incident that could trigger a wider confrontation.

In addition to his role leading EUCOM, Grynkewich serves as NATO’s Supreme Allied Commander Europe, a position that gives him authority to maintain military-to-military communication with Russia’s Gen. Valery Gerasimov, chief of the general staff.

EUCOM declined to comment Thursday in response to questions seeking further information.