Readout of Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III's Phone Call With Russian Minister of Defense Andrey Belousov
U.S. Department of DefenseSep 30, 2021
US Defense Secretary Has First Call With New Russian Counterpart
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The Facts
The US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin on Tuesday had his first call with his Russian counterpart Andrei Belousov, appointed to his post in May.
According to a Pentagon readout of the call, Austin "emphasized the importance of maintaining lines of communication amid Russia's ongoing war against Ukraine."
The Spin
Pro-Russia narrative
During the call with the American defense secretary, Belousov stressed that the continued supply of weaponry to Ukraine is leading to a dangerous escalation. Last week's attack on Crimea with US weapons — killing four and injuring more than 150 — was given as an example of this.
