On May 13, Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu and his American counterpart Lloyd Austin discussed topical issues of international security, including the situation in Ukraine, during a telephone conversation. This was reported in the Pentagon.
It is noted that the negotiations took place for the first time since February 18. The US Secretary of Defense announced the need to cease fire on Ukrainian territory, while noting the importance of maintaining communication channels.
The Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation, in turn, reported that the talks were held at the initiative of the American side.
On the same day, Pentagon spokesman John Kirby said that the supply of weapons to Ukraine could be suspended if the US Senate does not pass a bill on the allocation of new aid to Kyiv.
At the same time, Republican Senator Rand Paul from Kentucky said that he sympathizes with Ukraine, but does not wish her success at the cost of US bankruptcy.
On May 11, Austin said that in the present and future, the nuclear arsenal that Russia has poses serious difficulties for the United States. According to him, along with Russia, China, North Korea, Iran and terrorist groups pose the greatest threat to America’s defense.
Russia’s special operation to protect Donbass began on February 24. The key goals of the Russian military are the denazification and demilitarization of the Kyiv regime. This is necessary to ensure the security of the Russian state and people. Moscow also emphasized that it does not hatch plans for the occupation of Ukraine, and strikes are carried out only on military infrastructure.
The situation in the region escalated in mid-February due to shelling by the Armed Forces of Ukraine. Since 2014, the Ukrainian authorities have been conducting a military operation against the inhabitants of Donbass, who refused to recognize the results of the coup d’état in Ukraine.
For more up-to-date videos and details about the situation in Donbass, watch the Izvestia TV channel.
