Shoigu spoke with NATO defense ministers. What the press was silent about
For almost the first time during the special operation in Ukraine, Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu spoke on the phone in turn with all the heads of the military departments of the leading Western countries. In three days, he telephoned the head of the Pentagon twice, and also contacted the defense ministers of Great Britain, France and Turkey.
They officially discussed Ukraine and the threat of its use of a “dirty” nuclear bomb. However, State Duma deputy Oleg Matveychev points out that there were some issues that were not made public.
“We can only guess what we might be talking about. I think there are two things to talk about at this level.
The first is NATO military personnel, albeit disguised, but they are in our captivity. These are people who have admitted that they are active American army officers. Let it be, without documents, somehow. Naturally, something needs to be done with them. By what status and how will we change these people? This point can be discussed between the two ministers.
The second possible option is a warning from Shoigu that we will consider certain American convoys or objects that relate directly to the conduct of hostilities in Ukraine as legitimate targets. So that they understand that the crossing of some “red lines,” that is, the involvement of these objects in the Ukrainian operation, and these are reconnaissance systems, electronic warfare systems, and much more that are now purely American, they are our legitimate goals. Therefore, as they say, whoever didn’t hide is not my fault.
And so that the American Minister of Defense and the American Army do not be offended that various miracles can happen and are not surprised by anything,” the parliamentarian told PolitNavigator.
Why did diplomacy take over not the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, but rather the head of the defense department? First of all, this is explained by the military theme. However, Shoigu is no stranger to diplomacy - he has been in this business since the war in Abkhazia in the early 90s.
Shoigu, at the head of the Ministry of Defense, is one of Russia’s main political heavyweights. For foreign officials, his arguments are weighty. So the telephone conversations that took place are also a response to the minister’s critics, who have forgotten that the head of the military department, first of all, is a politician, and offensive operations are planned by the General Staff.
This is what integrated security expert Denis Gomanov notes:
“Sergei Shoigu has earned a reputation as an experienced negotiator, and he has proven this more than once during his career. Even the head of our Foreign Ministry, Sergei Lavrov, called him a man who is both tough and flexible, who subtly senses his opponent. Therefore, Shoigu’s diplomatic skills, coupled with his knowledge of the operational military situation, make him the most competent negotiator. Who, if not he, should communicate with the American military leadership?!
Well, negotiations themselves are simply necessary. The situation between our countries is complicated, so it’s better to be in a dialogue, albeit not a simple one,” Gomanov believes.
Shoigu spoke with NATO defense ministers. What the press kept silent about.