Telephone conversations were held at the initiative of the American side.
On Friday, February 18, US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin had a telephone conversation with Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu, discussing “issues of international security of mutual interest.”
This is reported by Russian news agencies with reference to the press service of the Russian Defense Ministry.
The Russian ministry said that the conversation took place at the initiative of the American side.
“Topical issues of international security of mutual interest were discussed,” the Russian military department said in a statement.
Earlier, on February 12, Russian Minister Shoigu had already spoken to Austin. Then the Pentagon reported that the ministers “discussed Russia's buildup of forces in Crimea and around Ukraine.”
Recall that on Saturday, February 19, Russia, under the leadership of President Vladimir Putin, will conduct training launches of ballistic and cruise missiles.
