New Delhi: Marking the first conversation between the US’s and Russia’s two top officials since Moscow began its war against Ukraine on February 24, US Secretary of Defence Lloyd Austin and his Russian counterpart Sergei Shoigu spoke over the phone on Friday.Also Read – Biden Signs Ukraine Bill, Seeks $40 Billion Aid, in Putin Rejoinder
Pentagon Press Secretary John Kirby said during the call on Friday, Austin “urged an immediate ceasefire in Ukraine and emphasized the importance of maintaining lines of communication”. Also Read – US Federal Deficit Totals $360bn in First 7 Months of FY2022
The last time Austin and Shoigu spoke to each other was on February 18, said Kirby. Also Read – Fake Twitter Accounts With Pro-war Hashtags Floated to Promote Russian President Vladimir Putin: Report
“The Secretary urged an end to the conflict in Ukraine and he emphasized the importance of maintaining communication,” said Kirby.
The Russian Defence Ministry, in a brief statement issued on Friday, said that Shoigu and Austin discussed topical issues of international security, including the situation in Ukraine
Meanwhile, US Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Mark Milley is expected to reach out to his Russian counterpart, Valery Gerasimov, to request a phone call, according to a CNN report citing an American defence official.
The two last spoke on February 11.
(With agency inputs)
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