Washington, 12 July 2024 (MIA) - U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin and Russian Minister of Defense Andrey Belousov spoke for a second time in just over two weeks on Friday amid tensions over the war in Ukraine, the Pentagon said. 

"The call was initiated by Russia," Pentagon spokesperson Sabrina Singh told a press briefing. 

"Secretary Austin emphasized the importance of maintaining lines of communication amid Russia's ongoing war against Ukraine," said Singh. 

The Pentagon spokesperson declined to provide further details on the talks. 

Photo: MIA archive