US Defence Secretary Austin First Time Calls With Russian Counterpart,Seeks Immediate Ceasefire

WASHINGTON: On May 13, Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III spoke with Russian Minister of Defense Sergey Shoygu for the first time since February 18.

Secretary Austin urged an immediate ceasefire in Ukraine and emphasized the importance of maintaining lines of communication.

This is first time Austin spoke to the Russian defence minister since February 18, Pentagon spokesperson John Kirby said in a statement.

The telephonic conversation comes hours after he spoke to British defence secretary Ben Wallace and discussed next steps to help Ukraine which has been fighting the Russian forces for the 79th straight day.

"We will continue to work with unity and resolve to provide Ukraine with what it needs to defend itself against Russia’s unprovoked invasion," Reuters quoted Wallace in the statement, issued on Friday after a meeting with Lloyd Austin on Wednesday.

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