Russia, US defence chiefs discuss ‘global security’ in rare phone call

Russian Defence Minister Sergey Shoygu and US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin spoke in a rare phone call on Friday.

The two defence chiefs discussed issues of international security, including the situation in Ukraine amid the ongoing war in Ukraine, the Russian Defence Ministry said in a statement.

"On October 21, 2022, telephone conversations were held between the Minister of Defence of the Russian Federation, Army General Sergey Shoygu, and the Secretary of Defence of the United States of America, Lloyd Austin. Topical issues of international security, including the situation in Ukraine, were discussed," the statement added.

Pentagon spokesman Brigadier General Pat Ryder said in a statement that during his call with Sergey Shoygu, Austin "emphasised the importance of maintaining lines of communication amid the ongoing war against Ukraine."

Meanwhile, Austin also spoke with his Ukrainian counterparts as the Biden administration maintains its support for Kyiv's defence.

Read more: Iranian trainers on the ground help Russia with Ukraine drone attacks, U.S. says

During his call with Ukrainian Defence Minister Oleksii Reznikov, Austin reiterated "the unwavering US commitment to supporting Ukraine's ability to counter Russia's aggression," Ryder said.

"Secretary Austin also underscored the international community's continued support in building Ukraine's enduring strength and safeguarding Ukraine's ability to defend itself in the future, as demonstrated by the security assistance commitments made by allies and partners at the most recent Ukraine Defence Contact Group meeting on October 12," he added. "The two leaders pledged to remain in close contact."

The calls come after the US publicly announced that Iranian forces are present in Ukraine's Crimean Peninsula, helping Russian forces operate military drones supplied by Tehran to aid Moscow's war effort.

Crimea has been under Russian occupation since 2014.

The US has billed Russia's decision to turn to Iran, as well as North Korea, as signs of desperation, saying export controls it and its allies have imposed on the Kremlin have led to serious shortages of equipment that is vital to the ongoing offensive across Ukraine.

(With additional input from Anadolu Agency)