Russia, US defense ministers discuss risk reduction at Ukraine's borders
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Russia and the US discuss mitigating dangers at Ukraine’s borders.
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US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin
US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin and his Russian counterpart Sergei Shoigu discuss over the phone risk reduction near Ukraine's borders, Defense Department Spokesperson John Kirby said on Thursday.
"They discussed risk reduction near Ukraine’s borders," Kirby said in a statement.
The Russian Defense Ministry said earlier that Shoigu and Austin discussed security issues of mutual interest.
For weeks, Europe and the US have been accusing Russia of escalation with Ukraine and military buildup with tens of thousands of troops at the borders, preparing for a possible invasion. The West has also waived imposing grave, unprecedented sanctions against Russia in the event of an invasion.
For its part, Russia denies posing threat to Ukraine and stresses its right to defend its security from the hostility of Westerners who support Kiev, especially in its struggle with pro-Russian separatists.
US-Russia talks are set to be held on Monday in Geneva, followed by a Russia-NATO meeting and another meeting in the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe.
