Embodiments of a next generation Node-B (gNB), User Equipment (UE) and methods for communication are generally described herein. A gNB may be configurable to operate as a master gNB (MgNB). The MgNB may transmit radio-resource control (RRC) signaling to provide information for dual connectivity to allow the UE to utilize radio resources of both a master cell group (MCG) associated with the MgNB and a secondary cell group (SCG) associated with a secondary gNB (SgNB). The MgNB may transmit, to the SgNB, an SgNB release request message that indicates a partial suspension of the dual connectivity, wherein: a first portion of a configuration for the SCG is to be maintained and a second portion of the configuration for the SCG is to be released.