Austin and Russia’s New Defense Minister Speak via Phone for the First Time

Protection Secretary Lloyd J. Austin III spoke by telephone on Tuesday with Russia’s new protection minister, Andrei Belousov, the Pentagon mentioned, in a uncommon dialog between the Biden administration and Moscow.

This was the primary telephone name between the 2 males since Mr. Belousov, an economist, changed Sergei Ok. Shoigu, Russia’s long-running protection minister, in a Kremlin shake-up in Could.

Maj. Gen. Patrick S. Ryder, the Pentagon press secretary, mentioned that Mr. Austin “emphasised the significance of sustaining traces of communication amid Russia’s ongoing struggle towards Ukraine.”

Mr. Austin initiated Tuesday’s name and “believes that conserving traces of communication open are necessary,” Common Ryder mentioned.

The dearth of communications between senior Russian army and protection officers and their American counterparts has fed fears on the Pentagon of miscalculation dangers.

Mr. Austin and Mr. Belousov “exchanged views on the state of affairs round Ukraine,” the Russian Protection Ministry mentioned in an announcement. It added that Mr. Belousov “pointed to the hazard of additional escalation of the state of affairs in reference to the continued provide of American weapons to the Armed Forces of Ukraine.”

Anton Troianovski contributed reporting.