Pentagon chief Lloyd Austin and Russian Minister of Defense Andrei Belousov held a phone conversation to discuss the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. This dialogue, initiated by the American side, marks the first direct communication between Austin and Belousov since the latter's appointment by President Vladimir Putin in May.
During the call, Belousov expressed concerns about the continuous supply of US-made weapons to Ukraine, warning of the risk of escalating tensions. "The Ministers exchanged views on the situation around Ukraine," stated Moscow's defense ministry, emphasizing the dangers associated with the ongoing military support to Ukraine's armed forces.
Pentagon spokesman Major General Pat Ryder confirmed the conversation, highlighting Austin's focus on maintaining communication channels amidst the ongoing conflict. Ryder noted the importance of these dialogues for managing tensions and avoiding misunderstandings.
The phone call comes amid a backdrop of strained diplomatic relations between Moscow and Washington, described by the Kremlin as having reached an "absolute minimum." This deterioration follows the recent approval by Washington for Ukraine to use long-range missiles against specific Russian territories, which has been a point of contention for Moscow.
The Kremlin issued a warning to the United States about the potential "consequences" of such actions after a Ukrainian attack using an American missile reportedly killed four individuals in Crimea. In response, the Russian government summoned the American ambassador to express its concerns.
Ryder reiterated that the decision on strike locations lies with the Ukrainians, underlining the autonomy of their military operations. However, the provision of military assistance by the US continues to be a significant factor in the heightened tensions between the two nations.
Relations between Moscow and Washington are at their lowest since the Cuban Missile Crisis in 1962, a situation exacerbated by Russia's "special military operation" in Ukraine, which began in February 2022.
