Russia and the United States agreed to restore high-level military contacts, signalling a cautious thaw between nuclear rivals amid Ukraine peace talks.
The decision followed two days of trilateral discussions in Abu Dhabi involving Russian, American and Ukrainian delegations seeking an end to war.
Senior military dialogue had been frozen since 2022, when Washington severed most ties after Russia launched its invasion.
US President Donald Trump has since reopened channels with Moscow, holding multiple calls and a summit with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
The renewed contacts were announced hours after the New START treaty expired, heightening global anxiety over a renewed nuclear arms race.
US European Command said military dialogue supports transparency and de-escalation, while officials said efforts toward a lasting peace continue.
Talks also produced the first prisoner exchange in four months, with more than 300 detainees set to be swapped.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky described negotiations as difficult but said Kyiv would remain constructive as discussions continue.
Territory remains the core obstacle, with Moscow demanding Ukrainian troop withdrawals and international recognition of seized land.
Kyiv rejects concessions, warning that ceding ground would embolden Russia and undermine future security guarantees.
As diplomacy unfolds, Russian strikes have left parts of Kyiv without heating, underscoring the war’s human cost and urgency.
