The Pentagon on Friday declined to offer specifics about the first call since May between US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin and his Russian counterpart beyond saying that Austin emphasized a need for lines of communication amid the war in Ukraine.
A Pentagon spokesperson told a televised news briefing that Austin initiated the call with Sergei Shoigu and said Friday offered the best opportunity for the two sides to speak, without explaining why that was the case.
She did not say whether any additional talks were scheduled between the two.
Defense officials have said that for some time, the Russians had not responded to US efforts to set up calls.
Austin also spoke with Ukrainian Minister of Defense Oleksii Reznikov “to reiterate the unwavering US commitment to supporting Ukraine’s ability to counter Russia’s aggression” as well as the international community's support for Ukraine's future defense, according to a Defense Department statement.
