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Immediate Release

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

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

On February 18, Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III spoke with Russian Minister of Defense Sergey Shoygu.  Secretary Austin called for deescalation, the return of Russian forces surrounding Ukraine to their home bases, and a diplomatic resolution.