Pentagon director talks to new appointed Russian DM
Date
6/27/2024 8:17:47 AM
(MENAFN) The defense ministers of Russia and the United States engaged in a crucial phone conversation on Tuesday, highlighting the necessity of maintaining open lines of communication despite escalating tensions between the two nuclear powers. This marked Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin's first direct discussion with Russia's new defense minister, Andrey Belousov, who assumed the role recently, succeeding Sergey Shoigu.
According to Pentagon spokesman Pat Ryder, Austin underscored the importance of dialogue amidst Russia's ongoing military actions in Ukraine during the call. The Russian Ministry of Defense also confirmed the exchange, stating that Austin and Belousov exchanged perspectives on the situation surrounding Ukraine. Notably, Belousov raised concerns with Austin regarding what he described as the risks of further escalation, particularly in relation to the continued supply of American weaponry to Ukrainian forces.
The conversation followed a tragic incident in Crimea where four individuals, including two children, lost their lives in a Ukrainian missile strike, which Moscow condemned as "barbaric." The Russian MOD accused Ukraine of using United States -provided ATACMS missiles with cluster munitions and alleged United States involvement in selecting targets for these strikes, assertions that Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov emphasized to reporters.
In response, the United States has supported Ukraine's use of Western-supplied weapons, authorizing strikes into Russian territory amid Moscow's recent offensive in Ukraine's Kharkov Region. Secretary Austin reiterated this support during recent remarks in Brussels, affirming international backing for Ukraine in its defense against Russian actions.
As tensions persist and both sides navigate complex geopolitical dynamics, the dialogue between Austin and Belousov signals ongoing efforts to manage and mitigate potential escalations in the region, while underscoring divergent views on military support and intervention in the Ukrainian conflict.
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