Tensions between Russia and the United States continue to escalate, particularly surrounding arms control discussions and the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova asserted that any dialogue on arms control necessitates the U.S. abandoning its confrontational stance towards Russia, highlighting NATO's eastern expansion as a critical concern. In a separate incident, Russian Defense Minister Andrei Belousov contacted U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin, claiming that Ukraine was planning a covert operation approved by the U.S., a claim that surprised Pentagon officials. The U.S. has emphasized the need for communication to prevent further escalation, though Ukraine's military operations remain somewhat opaque to American officials. Meanwhile, Russia's presidency of the UN Security Council has intensified public animosity with the West, marked by a refusal from the U.S. to acknowledge Russian diplomats formally. This ongoing rivalry underscores the growing geopolitical divide as both nations engage in a battle of narratives over regional security issues.