Live updates | Russia-Ukraine War

By The Associated Press

The Defense Department says U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin has spoken on the phone to Russian Defense Minister Sergey Shoygu. Friday’s call was the first time Austin and Shoygu had spoken since May 13. Defense officials have said that for some time the Russians had not responded to U.S. efforts to set up calls. Austin “emphasized the importance of maintaining lines of communication amid the ongoing war against Ukraine,” said Pentagon Press Secretary Air Force Brig. Gen. Pat Ryder. Austin also spoke with Ukrainian Defense Minister Oleksii Reznikov “to reiterate the unwavering U.S. commitment to supporting Ukraine’s ability to counter Russia’s aggression,” according to a Defense Department statement