Pentagon Chief, Russian Defense Minister Discuss Ukraine By Phone

U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin had a telephone conversation with his Russian counterpart Andrei Belousov on June 25, Pentagon spokesman Patrick Ryder said, adding that Austin had "emphasized the importance of maintaining lines of communication amid Russia's ongoing war against Ukraine." Austin initiated the call, the first between U.S. and Russian defense ministers since March 2023, Ryder said. Russia's Defense Ministry said the two "exchanged views on the situation around Ukraine." Belousov pointed out the danger of further escalation of the situation in connection with the continued supply of American weapons to the Ukrainian Army, the ministry said. To read the original story by RFE/RL's Russian Service, click here.