US: No Need for Hotline With Russia to Release Tension on Ukraine

On Friday, John Kirby, Pentagon spokesperson, said that according to the Defense Department, there is no need for a hotline with Russia in Ukraine given the previous contact the U.S. military officials had with their Russian counterparts.

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Kirby said during a press briefing that "there's no deconfliction line in Ukraine with Russia, but we have many lines of communication with Russia including direct communication with Russian military leaders." "We have direct lines of communication with them, so I don't think we need a hotline necessarily with respect to Ukraine," he added.

Following the allegations of Russian troops buildup near the Ukrainian border and claims of preparations for an invasion, tensions around the country intensified over the past several weeks.

Russian authorities have repeatedly denied the accusations, noting that NATO's military activity in Russian borders proximities is considered a threat to its national security. Russia has also highlighted its right to move forces within its territory.

During this week, U.S., NATO, and Russian officials have held a series of meetings to discuss bilateral issues and European security, focusing on risk reduction and arms control.

Russia released security proposals for NATO and the U.S. at the end of 2021 as tensions continued to escalate around Ukraine. Moscow demanded special guarantees on NATO's not expanding eastward. The U.S. remarks it will not allow anyone to limit NATO's open-door policy shut.