Jake Sullivan, chief national security adviser to the President of the United States, held confidential talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin's top aides, Yuri Ushakov and Nikolai Patrushev, to reduce the risk of an escalating conflict over Ukraine and warn Moscow against using nuclear or other weapons of mass destruction. The Wall Street Journal writes about this, citing US and allied officials.
The White House has not officially confirmed any calls between Sullivan and any senior Russian officials since March, when he spoke with Patrushev.
According to the publication, now informal talks took place due to the fact that traditional diplomatic contacts between Washington and Moscow have declined, and Putin and his aides have hinted that they may resort to the use of nuclear weapons.
Despite Ukraine's support, the White House said that maintaining a certain level of contact with Moscow is necessary to achieve mutual national security interests.
Several U.S. officials have said that Sullivan is known in the administration for pushing for a line of communication with Russia, although other senior politicians believe that negotiations under the current diplomatic and military conditions will not be fruitful.
Officials did not give exact dates or number of calls, or say if they were productive.