US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin called his Russian counterpart Sergei Shoigu today. That’s what John Kirby, the spokesman for the Pentagon, says. The call comes at a time when tensions persist on the Russian-Ukrainian border.
“They have been talking about mitigating the risks at Ukraine’s borders,” Kirby added in a short statement.
The Europeans, Americans and Kiev have been accusing the Russians for several weeks of rallying tens of thousands of soldiers on the Ukrainian border for a possible invasion. They have repeatedly threatened “mass” sanctions if the Kremlin were to launch an effective raid.
For its part, Russia denies that it threatens Ukraine. It says it is protecting itself against hostility from Western countries that support Kiev, including in the conflict with pro-Russian separatists in eastern Ukraine.
On Monday, US-Russian negotiations are due to begin in Geneva, followed by a meeting between NATO and Russia and another within the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe.
EU High Representative Borrell warns Russia of consequences for aggression against Ukraine
Biden pledges to act “resolutely” against Russia’s invasion of Ukraine
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