US and Russian Defense Ministers Talk for First Time in Over 5 Months Amid Nuclear War Threat

[Asia Economy New York=Special Correspondent Joselgina] Amid ongoing nuclear war threats from Russia, the defense ministers of the United States and Russia held a phone conversation.

According to the U.S. Department of Defense on the 21st (local time), Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin emphasized the importance of maintaining communication channels during the Ukraine war in a call with Russian Defense Minister Sergey Shoigu.

This call drew attention as it took place amid repeated indications by Russian President Vladimir Putin about the possible use of nuclear weapons. The Department of Defense did not disclose specific details of the conversation. On the same day, Secretary Austin also spoke separately with Ukrainian Defense Minister Oleksii Reznikov, reaffirming the firm U.S. commitment to support Ukraine in responding to Russia's invasion.

This is the first call between the U.S. and Russian defense ministers since May 14, over five months ago, following Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Major foreign media reported that the call was made at the request of Secretary Austin. Analysts suggest that during this call, the U.S. likely sought to understand Russia's intentions regarding nuclear weapon use and to warn of the consequences. The Russian Ministry of Defense disclosed the call, stating that they "discussed international security issues, including the situation in Ukraine."

Recently, as Russia has repeatedly hinted at the possibility of using nuclear weapons, the U.S. has also publicly issued warnings. U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, after a meeting with French Foreign Minister Catherine Colonna at the State Department on the same day, held a joint press conference and said, "We are communicating very directly with Russia about the consequences that nuclear weapon use would bring."

Regarding the possibility of a diplomatic resolution to the Ukraine war, he criticized, "It entirely depends on Russia stopping the invasion, but we have yet to see any evidence of that. On the contrary, Russia is strengthening its mobilization order and aggressive war."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.