Russian Defense Minister, U.S. Counterpart Discuss Ukraine in Rare Phone Call

INSUBCONTINENT EXCLUSIVE:
Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu spoke by phone to U.S
further details.The phone call marks the first confirmed contact between the two top defense officials since May and the second since Russia
invaded Ukraine on Feb
24.A spokesman for the Pentagon said Austin urged Shoigu to keep "lines of communication" open on the war in Ukraine."Secretary Austin
emphasized the importance of maintaining lines of communication amid the ongoing war against Ukraine," Brigadier General Pat Ryder said in a
statement following their phone call.Relations between Moscow and Washington have sunk to new lows since the start of Russia's military
campaign in Ukraine.Russia has accused the U.S
of seeking to prolong the conflict by providing financial and military aid to pro-Western Ukraine.Ahead of a G20 summit hosted by Indonesia
in November, Russian President Vladimir Putin said last week that he saw "no need" for an in-person meeting with U.S
President Joe Biden.Earlier this month, Biden said he had "no intention" of meeting with Putin but did not rule out potential talks.AFP
contributed reporting.