US Defense Secretary, Russian counterpart speak for first time since 2023
(VOVWORLD) - US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin spoke by phone on Tuesday with Russia’s Defense Minister Andrei Belousov in a rare conversation initiated by Washington.
 Russian Defense Minister Andrei Belousov (left) and US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin. (Photo: EurasiaBusinessNews/VNA) |
The two exchanged views on the Ukraine issue. Minister Belousov emphasized the risk of further escalation if the US continues to supply weapons to Ukraine. Austin initiated Tuesday’s call and said he believes it’s important to keep lines of communication open.
This was the first phone call between the two since Mr. Belousov, an economist, replaced Russia’s long-time Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu in May.