Friday, August 15, 2014

Hagel Speaks With Russian Defense Minister



DoD News, Defense Media Activity

WASHINGTON, Aug. 15, 2014 – Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel spoke by phone today with Russian Defense Minister Sergey Shoygu, Pentagon Press Secretary Navy Rear Adm. John Kirby said.

In a statement summarizing the call, Kirby said Hagel and Shoygu discussed the ongoing situation in Ukraine.

“Specifically, Secretary Hagel requested clarification regarding the Russian humanitarian convoy,” he said.

“Minister Shoygu guaranteed that there were no Russian military personnel involved in the humanitarian convoy,” Kirby said, “nor was the convoy to be used as a pretext to further intervene in Ukraine. He acknowledged that the goods would be delivered and distributed under the International Committee of the Red Cross. Minister Shoygu assured Secretary Hagel that Russia was meeting Ukraine's conditions.”

The two defense leaders discussed the need to have bilateral follow-on meetings of the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty and agreed to maintain open lines of communication, the admiral said.

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