Why did Russia's defence chief reach out to US counterpart? NYT explains

In a rare and unexpected communication, Russian Defence Minister Andrei Belousov reached out to US Defense Secretary Lloyd J. Austin III on July 12, expressing concerns over a supposed covert operation by Ukraine, which Moscow believed had US approval.

This conversation marks only the sixth instance of direct communication between US and Russian defence heads since the onset of the Ukraine war in February 2022, highlighting the unusual nature of this outreach, Caliber.Az reports, citing The New York Times.

According to sources familiar with the call, Belousov conveyed a warning, suggesting that Russia had detected a Ukrainian covert action that could exacerbate tensions between Moscow and Washington. The Pentagon, taken aback by the accusation, denied any knowledge of such a plot. Subsequently, US officials reportedly urged Ukrainian counterparts to refrain from any provocative actions that could escalate the conflict further.

The timing of Belousov's call is significant, as it comes shortly after Austin's attempt to maintain open lines of communication with Russia, reaching out to Belousov on June 25 following his appointment in a Kremlin shake-up that saw him replace long-serving Defense Minister Sergei K. Shoigu. This outreach aimed to prevent miscalculations and avoid escalation in the already tense situation.

The US remains a crucial ally to Ukraine, providing substantial military, intelligence, and diplomatic support. However, US officials have expressed frustration over a lack of transparency from Ukraine regarding certain military operations, particularly those targeting Russian positions behind enemy lines. There is concern within Washington that such actions might not only fail to significantly alter the battlefield dynamics but could also strain relationships with European allies and potentially broaden the scope of the conflict.