US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin and Russian Defense Minister Andrei Belousov spoke for the second time today in within a little more than two weeks amid the tension surrounding the war in Ukraine, the Pentagon announced, quoted by Reuters, writes BTA.
The conversation was initiated by Russia, Pentagon spokeswoman Sabrina Singh announced at a briefing.
Austin has emphasized the importance of keeping lines of communication open during the conflict in Ukraine, more than two years after Russia's full-scale invasion, Singh said.
A Pentagon spokeswoman declined to provide further details about the conversation.