In a rare communication between the US and Russia, defense chiefs spoke by telephone amid rising tensions. The call came after Moscow blamed Washington for a deadly Ukraine attack over the weekend on Russian-annexed Crimea. The Pentagon and Russia gave differing accounts of the conversation, which was the first between US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin and Russia’s new Defense Minister Andrei Belousov. They discussed the importance of open communication, with Belousov warning Austin about US arms supplies to Ukraine.
Relations between the two nations have deteriorated significantly since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022. Diplomatic contacts are at an “absolute minimum,” with accusations flying between the two powers. Russia sees Crimea as part of its territory, while most of the world considers it part of Ukraine. US weapons supplies to Ukraine resumed in April, with the US standing by Ukraine’s demands for Russian troop withdrawal.
Moscow’s arms control representative warned of potential consequences if the West underestimates Russia’s resolve. The call highlighted the ongoing tensions between the US and Russia over various issues, including the recent Ukraine incident.