Russia, US defense ministers discuss situation in Ukraine amid rising tensions
Date
6/26/2024 7:31:18 AM
(MENAFN) On Tuesday, Russian Defense Minister Andrei Belousov and U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin engaged in a significant phone call to discuss the escalating situation in Ukraine. This discussion, initiated by the United States, marked the first direct communication between the two defense leaders since Belousov assumed his position on May 12.
According to a statement from the Russian Defense Ministry, the ministers exchanged views on the current conflict in Ukraine. Belousov emphasized the heightened risk of further escalation due to the ongoing supply of American weapons to Ukrainian forces. The conversation highlighted Moscow's growing concerns over Washington's involvement in the conflict, particularly regarding the provision of long-range missiles to Kiev. Russia perceives these actions as direct threats to its security, especially as Ukraine has used these missiles to target Russian regions and the Crimean Peninsula, annexed by Russia in 2014.
From the American perspective, Pentagon spokesman General Pat Ryder reported that Austin underscored the importance of maintaining open lines of communication amid the ongoing war. The dialogue aimed to address mutual concerns and potentially mitigate further escalation.
The phone call occurred against a backdrop of increasing diplomatic tension. Just a day earlier, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov issued a stern warning to the United States, threatening "consequences" for its support of Ukraine. Additionally, the Russian Foreign Ministry summoned U.S. Ambassador to Moscow, Lynn Tracy, to convey a strong message: Washington's actions enabling strikes inside Russian territory would not go unpunished.
This high-level communication reflects the fragile state of U.S.-Russia relations and underscores the critical need for continued dialogue to address the complex and volatile situation in Ukraine.
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