Russian Minister of Defense Andrei Belousov and the head of the Pentagon Lloyd Austin exchanged views on the situation around Ukraine. This is stated in the message of the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation.
The telephone conversation took place on the initiative of the American side.
“Belousov pointed out the danger of further escalation of the situation in connection with the ongoing supplies of American weapons for the Armed Forces (Armed Forces of Ukraine). Other issues were also discussed,” the statement said.
Earlier on the telephone conversation of the heads of defense departments of the Russian Federation and the United States, the press secretary of the Pentagon Patrick Ryder was reported to the press secretary of the Pentagon.
“During the conversation, the minister emphasized the importance of maintaining communication lines open during the continuing war of Russia against Ukraine,” Ryder said.
Pentagon’s spokeswoman also recalled that the last time Austin talked with the former Minister of Defense of Russia Sergey Shoigu on March 15, 2023.