The Pentagon announced on Friday that United States (US) Secretary of Defence Lloyd Austin urged Russian Minister of Defence Sergei Shoigu to broker an “immediate ceasefire” in Ukraine during his first phone call with his Russian counterpart since the Ukraine war began on February 24.
During their hour-long discussion, Austin also stressed the importance of “maintaining lines of communication,” which the US said was “received with respect” by the Russian side.
However, a senior US defence official stressed that “The call didn't specifically solve any acute issues or lead to a direct change in what the Russians are doing or what they're saying.”
Meanwhile, a press release by Russian state-owned media outlet TASS revealed that the pair discussed “the situation in Ukraine and the needs of Kyiv in armaments.”
The two leaders last spoke on February 18—a week before Russia invaded Ukraine. Another press release by TASS said that the conversation was initiated by Austin, adding that the US defence chief had previously said that Shoigu and Russian Chief of the General Staff Valery Gerasimov have been “refusing” to speak with him and US Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Gen. Mark Milley for the past three months.
I spoke with Russian Minister of Defense Sergey Shoygu today for the first time since February 18th. I urged an immediate ceasefire in Ukraine and I emphasized the importance of maintaining lines of communication.
— Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III (@SecDef) May 13, 2022
“What motivated them to change their mind and to be open to it, I don't think we know for sure,” the senior US defence official said in a press conference, noting that Washington’s “consistent efforts” at dialogue had been rebuffed until last week. The official further called it a “good sign” and “a springboard for future conversations.”
In fact, an unnamed US defence official said Gen. Milley hopes to speak with his Russian counterpart Gerasimov in the near future following Austin and Shoigu’s phone call.
The US and Russia launched a deconfliction line on March 1, similar to the one in Syria, as the Russian strikes were targeting Ukrainian territories close to the Polish border where the American troops are stationed. The Pentagon affirmed that the line was tested once or twice daily, but there was no communication at the highest levels between the two militaries until the Austin-Shoigu phone call on Friday.
We know that a sovereign and independent Ukraine will endure. And we know that in supporting Ukraine we’re also defending the principles of sovereignty and independence that are foundational to global peace and security.
— Secretary Antony Blinken (@SecBlinken) May 15, 2022
The latest discussion also came in as Russia increased its military presence in eastern Ukraine by deploying 105 battalion tactical groups after it failed to capture Kyiv and subsequently had to withdraw its forces from the city.
On Sunday, Austin also briefed his Ukrainian counterpart, Oleksi Reznikov, about his conversation with Shoigu, and reiterated the US’ “unwavering” support toward Ukraine and “security assistance efforts to bolster Ukraine’s capacity to counter Russian aggression.”
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken also met with Ukrainian Minister of Foreign Affairs Dmytro Kuleba on Sunday in Berlin, wherein he gave details of the “latest tranche of US security assistance to bolster Ukraine’s defences,” expressing “strong support” for Ukraine amongst their allies. “We agreed to work closely together to ensure that Ukrainian food exports reach consumers in Africa and Asia,” Kuleba tweeted.
Met @SecBlinken in Berlin. More weapons and other aid is on the way to Ukraine. We agreed to work closely together to ensure that Ukrainian food exports reach consumers in Africa and Asia. Grateful to Secretary Blinken and the U.S. for their leadership and unwavering support. pic.twitter.com/E3oru9jfIJ
— Dmytro Kuleba (@DmytroKuleba) May 15, 2022
During a press conference in Berlin, Blinken also announced that the US Congress is expected to pass a $40 billion supplemental funding bill in military and humanitarian aid to Ukraine next week “to ensure that our ability to provide assistance to Ukraine is not interrupted.”
Last month, Blinken and Austin met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in Kyiv to discuss the post-war reconstruction and additional economic support for Ukraine. After the meeting, Blinken and Austin spoke with reporters at the Ukraine-Poland border. In his assessment, Blinken observed that Russia’s goals to “totally subjugate Ukraine” have “failed.”
Furthermore, Defence Secretary Austin called the meeting with Zelensky “very productive,” adding that Ukraine has a high chance of winning the war against Russia as long as they have the “right equipment,” which he emphasised that Washington will supply.
Meanwhile, in a Facebook post, Reznikov wrote that Ukraine is entering a long phase of the war. “To win it, we must plan resources carefully, avoid mistakes and project our strength in such a way that the enemy ultimately breaks,” he added.
Against this backdrop, Russian forces have been firing on civilian infrastructure in Dovhenke, Ruski Tyshki, Ternova, and Petrivka, while heavy artillery fire and airstrikes have continued in Mariupol, especially near the Azovstal steel plant.
Furthermore, according to the Ukrainian military, three tanks, one artillery system, and six units of combat armoured vehicles were destroyed in the Donetsk and Luhansk regions of eastern Ukraine.
Discussed with @SecDef the situation on the battlefield & military needs of 🇺🇦. Told him how #UAarmy successfully uses M777. We also discussed his call with 🇷🇺 defmin. Grateful to 🇺🇸 in general & Lloyd Austin III personally for the unwavering diplomatic & military support of 🇺🇦 pic.twitter.com/4XaxmBQDYN
— Oleksii Reznikov (@oleksiireznikov) May 16, 2022
The Russian military claims to have killed 360 nationalists and destroyed 78 units of Ukrainian military equipment. They also shot down two Su-25 near Yevgenovka and Kamyshevakha, and one Su-24 near Snake Island. Ten Ukrainian unmanned aerial vehicles, including two Soviet-manufactured Tu-143 Reys, were neutralised over Novosvetlovka, Dementiyevka, Izyum and Maliye Prokhody in the Kharkov region, Donetsk, Vysokoye, and Kalinovskoye. The Ukrainian army still controls 10% of the Luhansk region despite heavy losses.
Last week, the head of the Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA), Lt. Gen. Scott Berrier, revealed to the Senate that the situation was at “a bit of a stalemate.” “I think I would characterise it as the Russians aren't winning and the Ukrainians aren't winning,” he added.
Separately, Pentagon spokesperson John Kirby stated that four units were being rotated in eastern Europe, though the 100,000 American troops will remain the same, adding that Austin and his staff are still reviewing what would permanent US military deployment look like in light of the Ukraine war.