U.S., Russian defense chiefs speak by phone for first time since May

The U.S. and Russian defence chiefs spoke by telephone connected Friday for the archetypal clip since May, according to a Pentagon spokesperson.

Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin and Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu discussed “international information problems, notably the concern successful Ukraine,” according to a readout posted by the Russian Ministry of Defense connected Telegram Friday morning.

During the call, Austin “emphasized the value of maintaining lines of connection amid the ongoing warfare against Ukraine,” said Pentagon spokesperson Brig. Gen. Pat Ryder.

This is lone the 2nd clip the 2 person spoken since Russia’s February penetration of Ukraine. The archetypal telephone was connected May 13. During that conversation, Austin reportedly urged his Russian counterpart to see a cease-fire, which Moscow ignored.

Before that May call, the 2 spoke connected Feb. 18, six days earlier the invasion.

Friday’s telephone comes pursuing days of Russian rocket attacks connected civilians successful Ukraine, and arsenic Vladimir Putin makes amerciable claims to Ukrainian territory successful the country’s eastbound and south.