MOSCOW, Russia: Russian Minister of Defence Andrei Belousov and US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin spoke by phone on Tuesday to discuss the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, according to Moscow’s defence ministry.
Initiated by the American side, the call focused on the escalating situation due to the continued supply of US weapons to Ukraine.
The Pentagon emphasized the importance of maintaining open communication lines amid Russia’s ongoing war against Ukraine.
This was Austin’s first call with Belousov, who assumed his position in May. Russia has criticized the US for its military support to Ukraine, recently allowing Kyiv to use long-range US weapons on parts of Russia near Kharkiv.
Kremlin on Monday warned the US of “consequences” after a Ukrainian strike with a US missile on Crimea killed four people.
