Kremlin Spokesperson: "February 2022 Was the Last Call"
The hotline between the United States and Russia's top leadership, established for emergency security situations, is reportedly not operational.
On the 20th (local time), Dmitry Peskov, the Kremlin spokesperson, responded "No" to TASS news agency's question asking, "Is the special emergency hotline still functioning?"
The hotline was established in response to the 1962 Cuban Missile Crisis to enable urgent communication between the leaders of the former Soviet Union and the United States, and has been in operation since August 30, 1963. During the Cold War, both countries used this hotline appropriately, but after the collapse of the Soviet Union, the leaders of the two countries more often communicated through other channels.
Peskov explained, "We currently have a special protected communication channel for the presidents of both countries," adding, "There is even an option for video conferencing."
However, Peskov added that the presidents of both countries have not recently used these new communication channels. Despite rising tensions, such as Russia revising its nuclear doctrine to relax conditions for nuclear weapon use and the United States approving the use of long-range ATACMS missiles to strike Russian territory via Ukraine, the leaders have not communicated.
TASS news agency cited information from the official Kremlin website, reporting that there has been no telephone communication between the two leaders since February 12, 2022, just before the start of Ukraine's "special military operation."
Peskov explained that the last contact between the presidents' spokespersons was during Barack Obama's presidency. He said, "To my recollection, the last time I spoke with my American counterparts was during Obama's administration. We have not maintained good relations since then." He also added that there have been no opportunities to communicate with the spokespersons of former President Donald Trump or current President Joe Biden.
Additionally, Peskov stated that although he does not know Karoline Leavitt, who was nominated as White House spokesperson by the next U.S. president, Trump, he is ready to engage in dialogue.
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