Russian defense minister holds talks by phone with Pentagon chief

Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu had a telephone conversation with U.S. Defense Secretary Mark Esper. The conversation was initiated by the U.S. side, according to the Russian defense ministry.

"On October 7, 2019, Russian Defense Ministry Army General Sergei Shoigu had a telephone conversation with U.S. Secretary of Defense Mark Esper at the initiative of the U.S. side," the ministry said, giving no further details.

This was Shoigu’s first contact with Esper after the latter’s appointment as U.S. defense secretary on July 23.