Russian and US defense chiefs discuss lowering escalated tensions in call
Moscow, Russia - Russian Defence Minister Andrei Belousov and his US counterpart Lloyd Austin held a telephone call where they discussed lowering the risk of "possible escalation," the Russian defence ministry said on Friday.
![Russian Defence Minister Andrei Belousov (l.) and his US counterpart Lloyd Austin (r.) held a telephone call where they discussed lowering the risk of "possible escalation," the Russian defence ministry said on Friday.](https://media.tag24.de/951x634/7/7/770o1m6knlkbs25kzoi4yxrefsh6kto4.jpg)
The call, which was initiated by Moscow, comes as tensions between the two sides flare over Washington's plan to deploy long-range missiles in Germany – a decision the Kremlin warned could spell a return to Cold War-style confrontation.
"The issue of preventing security threats and reducing the risk of possible escalation was discussed," Russia's defence ministry said in a statement on the talks with the US.
The two sides have managed to organize sporadic phone calls despite raging tensions over the conflict in Ukraine, including a recent call at the end of June where Moscow chided Washington's arms supplies to Kyiv.
The White House announced on Wednesday during a NATO summit that it would be stationing long-range weapons – including Tomahawk cruise missiles – in Germany as a military deterrent.
The Kremlin criticized the move, accusing Washington of taking a step towards a new "Cold War" and of directly participating in the conflict in Ukraine.
Cover photo: Collage: GAVRIIL GRIGOROV / POOL / AFP & DREW ANGERER / AFP