Russian, U.S. Military Chiefs Discuss Georgia

Adm. Michael G. Mullen, the chairman of the U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff, met his Russian counterpart, Gen. Nikolai Makarov, in Finland on October 21 and discussed Georgia, operations in the Black Sea, Afghanistan, and the relationship between NATO and Russia.

“Obviously, the relationship [with Russia] has changed because of what happened in Georgia, but by no means does it – or should it – end,” the U.S. Department of Defense press service quoted Gen. Mullen as saying after the unannounced meeting.

Mullen added he does not believe the two countries have cut off all relations, “nor do I believe that it should resume on the old plan, like Georgia didn’t occur.” He also said that he was encouraged that his Russian counterpart had reached out to keep dialogue between the two countries open.

Gen. Markov told the Russian news agency RIA Novosti that he had talked with his U.S. counterpart about the resumption of the Russia-NATO Council, which was suspended after the Georgia war. A decision on resuming the council, he said, will be made in November or December “and this question remains in the Americans’ court.”

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