‘In our interest’ – White House confirms nuclear talks with Kremlin

The Wall Street Journal was the first medium to report on Sullivan’s meetings with Kremlin adviser Yuri Ushakov and Russian Security Council secretary Nikolai Patrushev. The talks focused on averting the threat of a nuclear escalation in the war in Ukraine. The American newspaper referred to sources from government circles in Washington and from NATO partner countries. The White House’s brief comment was initially, “People are claiming a lot of things.”

First successes after conversations?
But now Sullivan has personally confirmed the messages. Speaking at a discussion event Monday night in New York, President Joe Biden’s adviser said: “Maintaining communication with the Kremlin is in the interest of every state affected by this conflict.” international partners to work together to “hold accountable those responsible for serious war crimes in Ukraine”.

In fact, the talks may have been fruitful, because after months of nuclear threats – especially after the annexation of the Russian-occupied territories in eastern Ukraine, which the Kremlin wants to defend “with all available means” – the rhetoric has recently significantly softened. In early November, the Russian Foreign Ministry released a statement on “preventing nuclear war”.

Russia is convinced that nuclear war “should never be unleashed”. That is why efforts are being made to limit the number of nuclear weapons. Previous statements that indirectly threatened a nuclear attack have been downplayed. It was merely “referred to the statements of Western heads of state,” according to the Nov. 2 statement.