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Streeting wants more direct contact with Russia to avoid war ‘miscalculation’
Defence Minister Wes Streeting says Britain wants additional ways to communicate with Russia, particularly direct contact between the two countries’ militaries, to reduce the chance of a dangerous miscalculation. He said the UK embassy in Moscow remains an important channel, but made the case for more direct lines ahead of planned US-brokered talks between Russian and Ukrainian officials.
Relations between Russia and most European capitals have been largely frozen since Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022. The UK has maintained a policy of avoiding direct bilateral engagement with Russian ministers; a rare recent contact was a September meeting between the Russian and German foreign ministers at the UN. The article says US President Donald Trump has invited Vladimir Putin to a G20 summit in Miami in December, while UK sanctions mean Putin will not attend a G20 summit in Manchester.
In short
- Streeting wants direct military communication channels with Russia.
- He says they could reduce the risk of miscalculation.
- UK policy has avoided bilateral engagement with Russian ministers.
Steelman: both sides, in good faith
The strongest fair case each way — we don't pick a winner.
The case for
More direct military-to-military communication could help prevent incidents or ambiguous signals from escalating into conflict, especially when relations are strained and forces operate in close proximity. Supporters could argue that maintaining a practical safety channel need not imply political approval of Russia’s actions, and that reducing the risk of a wider war is a core government responsibility.
The case against
Critics could argue that renewed direct contact risks lending legitimacy to Moscow or weakening the united diplomatic pressure applied since the invasion. They may also question whether additional channels would meaningfully reduce danger if Russia chose not to use them in good faith, while creating opportunities for mixed signals or political exploitation.
Explained simply
Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, prompting the UK and other European countries to impose sanctions and sharply reduce political contact with Moscow. The UK still communicates through its embassy in Moscow, but has generally avoided direct talks with Russian ministers.
Military communication channels can help countries clarify actions and intentions, especially when their forces operate near one another. Britain, Russia and Ukraine are involved in a wider conflict with international consequences, so the way governments communicate may affect the risk of misunderstandings escalating.
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