US defense chief urges immediate Ukraine ceasefire in call with Russian counterpart

US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin held a call with Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu on Friday in which he called for an immediate ceasefire in Ukraine and stressed the importance of maintaining lines of communication, the Pentagon said, according to Report, which refers to Reuters.

It was the first time Austin had spoken with Shoigu since February 18, Pentagon spokesman John Kirby said in a statement.