Pentagon chief calls Russia's new defense minister for first time
Pentagon chief Lloyd Austin and Russian Minister of Defense Andrei Belousov have discussed the current conflict in Ukraine in a phone conversation.
Moscow's defense ministry reported that during the phone call, Belousov highlighted the risk of increased tension due to the continuous delivery of US-made weapons to Ukraine.
"The Ministers exchanged views on the situation around Ukraine," the ministry said in a statement, noting the conversation took place "at the initiative of the American side."
The Russian minister "pointed to the danger of further escalation of the situation in connection with the ongoing supply of US weapons to the Armed Forces of Ukraine," it continued. "Other issues were also discussed."
In a statement, Pentagon spokesman Major General Pat Ryder also confirmed the phone call and highlighted Austin's emphasis on the significance of upholding communication channels amidst Russia's ongoing military operation in Ukraine.
Ryder said this was Austin's first call with Belousov, who was appointed by President Vladimir Putin in May.
The phone call between the two ministers came after Moscow’s last week statement which said that diplomatic communications between Putin's government and President Joe Biden's administration have reached a point of "an absolute minimum."
The Russian government has criticized the United States for continuing to provide military assistance to Ukraine, as Washington has recently approved Kiev's use of long-range missiles against certain areas of Russian land.
The Kremlin issued on Monday cautioned Washington about potential "consequences" and summoned the American ambassador, after Moscow said that a Ukrainian attack using an American missile resulted in the deaths of four individuals in Crimea.
Ryder said at the time that the Ukrainians make their own decisions about the locations for launching strikes.
Moscow-Washington ties, at their lowest point since the Cuban missile crisis in 1962, have been strained since Russia launched its special military operation in Ukraine in February 2022.
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