In first since Ukraine invasion, Pentagon chief speaks with Russian counterpart
The conversation lasted for an hour. During the call, Austin also emphasized the importance of maintaining lines of communication, according to the U.S. official who spoke on condition of anonymity.
May 14, 2022, 5:30 am

In first since Ukraine invasion, Pentagon chief speaks with Russian counterpart

US Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III - Official Twitter account

The Koyodonews reported, the Pentagon said that the U.S. and Russian defense chiefs spoke by phone Friday (May 13) for the first time since Moscow invaded Ukraine in late February, with U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin pressing for an immediate cease-fire.

A U.S. defense official said that Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu had agreed to the call after the United States "consistently" asked for one, but it did not appear to result in any major change to Russia's stance on the war.

According to Pentagon Press Secretary John Kirby, the last time Austin spoke with Shoigu was Feb. 18, about a week before Russia began its military campaign against its Eastern European neighbor.

The conversation lasted for an hour. During the call, Austin also emphasized the importance of maintaining lines of communication, according to the U.S. official who spoke on condition of anonymity.

I spoke with Russian Minister of Defense Sergey Shoygu today for the first time since February 18th. I urged an immediate ceasefire in Ukraine and I emphasized the importance of maintaining lines of communication.
— Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III (@SecDef) May 13, 2022

The official added that the call itself did not specifically solve "any acute issues" or "lead to a direct change in what the Russians are doing or what they are saying."

Facing fierce resistance, Russia failed to capture the Ukrainian capital Kyiv and has shifted its focus to the eastern Donbas region, an area where Ukrainian forces have been fighting pro-Russian separatists since Russia's 2014 annexation of Crimea.

First Russian soldier goes on trial in Ukraine for war crimes

U.S. Director of National Intelligence Avril Haines recently said Russian President Vladimir Putin may be preparing for "a prolonged conflict in Ukraine, during which he still intends to achieve goals beyond the Donbas."

Source: koyodo

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