Pentagon chief Austin called on Defense Minister Shoigu to withdraw troops from the Ukrainian border
Lloyd Austin. Photo: Chad Mcneeley / Dod / Keystone Press Agency / Globallookpress.com
Pentagon chief Lloyd Austin, during a telephone conversation with Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu, called on the Russian side to de-escalate and withdraw troops from the Ukrainian border. This is stated in a press release from the US military.
“Minister Austin called for a de-escalation, the return of Russian forces surrounding Ukraine to their bases, as well as a diplomatic settlement,” the statement said.
On February 18, Austin and Shoigu discussed topical issues of international security. The conversation took place at the initiative of the American side.
On February 17, the United States Secretary of Defense, during a press conference following a meeting of NATO defense ministers in Brussels, stated that the possibilities for dialogue between the United States and Russia on Ukraine had not yet been exhausted. He stressed that there is still time and opportunity for diplomacy.
