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Release
Immediate Release

Readout of Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III's Call With Russian Minister of Defense Sergey Shoygu

May 13, 2022

Pentagon Press Secretary John F. Kirby provided the following readout:

On May 13, Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III spoke with Russian Minister of Defense Sergey Shoygu for the first time since February 18.  Secretary Austin urged an immediate ceasefire in Ukraine and emphasized the importance of maintaining lines of communication.

ukraine response Defense Secretary Austin russia