For the first time since March 2023, the defense ministers of Russia and the USA spoke on the phone again. One topic was the war in Ukraine. Moscow and Kyiv, meanwhile, exchanged prisoners again.
US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin spoke with his Russian counterpart Andrei Belousov in a rare exchange. Austin stressed that it was important to maintain communication in light of Russia’s war of aggression in Ukraine, said Pentagon spokesman Pat Ryder. He did not provide any further details about the phone call. However, the initiative for the conversation came from Austin.
The Russian Defense Ministry announced that both sides had discussed the war. Belousov pointed out the increasing danger of escalation in the country in connection with US arms deliveries to Ukraine. Other issues were also discussed, but the Russian side did not provide any details.
First conversation since March 15, 2023
It was the first meeting between the defense ministers of both countries since March 15, 2023. At that time, Sergei Shoigu was still in office in Russia.
The latest conversation followed a threat from Moscow following a Ukrainian missile attack on the city of Sevastopol in Crimea, which was annexed by Russia. “It is clear that the direct involvement of the USA in hostilities resulting in the deaths of Russian civilians cannot remain without consequences,” said Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov. He accused the Americans of supplying the missiles for the attack.
90 soldiers released on both sides
Meanwhile, Ukraine and Russia have released 90 soldiers each in another exchange of prisoners of war. “Our people are home,” Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyj announced on X. Work is underway to release more prisoners. Zelenskyj, like the Russian side, thanked the United Arab Emirates for mediating. Russia also confirmed the release of 90 of its soldiers.
The talks on exchanging prisoners of war are among the last remaining contacts between the conflicting parties. Russian President Vladimir Putin said the number of Russian soldiers in Ukrainian captivity at the beginning of the month was 1,348. The number of Ukrainian prisoners of war on the Russian side, however, is more than 6,000, he said.