The Pentagon’s contacts with the Russian military have been minimized due to restrictions on US law, US Department of Defense spokesman John Kirby said on Friday, September 24.
Thus, he commented on an interview with the chairman of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff, Mark Milli, who spoke in favor of expanding military contacts with Moscow.
A Pentagon spokesman noted that cooperation with Russia has been suspended due to its “aggressive actions in Ukraine” – both for political reasons and according to the letter of the law.
“Accordingly, our communications with the Russian military have been reduced to just over a dozen interactions that reduce the risk of misjudgment of reciprocal actions and prevent conflict in military operations,” Kirby said at a ministry briefing, which was broadcast on Twitter.
As an example, he cited contacts on Syria.
“I’m sure General Millie is well aware of these restrictions <...>… US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin – Ed.) Is confident that the chairman will continue to communicate and deconflict with the Russian military within these borders, ”the spokesman added.
On Thursday, September 16, former US Ambassador to Kiev John Herbst said that Ukraine should not count on military support from the United States and the European Union in the event of a full-scale Russian aggression. Herbst noted that the likelihood of full-scale aggression is there, but it is small.