US Must Open Up Lines of Communication With Russia for Safety - Pentagon Acquisition Chief

WASHINGTON (Sputnik) - The United States and Russia should open up lines of communication in order to bolster mutual safety and understanding, US Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment William LaPlante said on Tuesday.

"We have to open up lines of communication between our countries: mil-to-mil, policy-to-policy, diplomatic and more," LaPlante said during an interview with the Center for Strategic and International Studies. "It’s only safer when we’re talking to each other, and I think that that’s something that’s in the interest of both countries to make sure that those lines of communication stay open so that we understand each other."

Touching upon the relations with China, the official said that the United States should open up lines of communication with Beijing as well in order to bolster mutual safety and understanding, US Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment William LaPlante said on Tuesday.

"We have to open up lines of communication between our countries: mil-to-mil, policy-to-policy, diplomatic and more," LaPlante stated during an interview with the Center for Strategic and International Studies, when asked about avoiding conflict with China.

"It’s only safer when we’re talking to each other, and I think that that’s something that’s in the interest of both countries, to make sure that those lines of communication stay open so that we understand each other," the offcial added.

Further, LaPlante noted that a US government shutdown could impact tests of aid to Ukraine unless the Pentagon is provided a waiver.

“I have some testing we want to do next week on an item for Ukraine, and unless we can get some type of a waiver – which we’re going to get – it’s not going to happen,” the official stated.

The US Congress is working to pass government funding legislation before the end of the month, after which point the government could shut down. However, lawmakers are battling over whether to include additional measures such as further Ukraine aid or border security funding to a spending bill.

The United States has funds to assist Ukraine for a couple more weeks, although the US’ ability to support Ukraine could lapse if lawmakers do not pass a supplemental aid request for Ukraine, White House Strategic Communications Coordinator John Kirby said earlier on Tuesday.