For the first time in several months, US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin held talks with Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu, calling for an immediate cessation of hostilities in Ukraine.
This is stated in a brief official statement from the Pentagon, published on Friday after their conversation, reports Ukrinform.
“On May 13, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin held talks with Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu for the first time since February 18. Defense Secretary Austin called for an immediate ceasefire in Ukraine,” the Pentagon said in a statement.
In addition, the US Department of Defense highlighted the importance of maintaining communication opportunities between agencies.
As Ukrinform reported, Lloyd Austin had a phone conversation with his Ukrainian counterpart Oleksiy Reznikov on Friday. The parties, in particular, discussed further military assistance to Ukraine. At the same time, the Pentagon emphasizes that contact with the Ukrainian military chiefs is maintained on a daily basis.
Foto: picture alliance / NurPhoto
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