The head of the Russian delegation at the Vienna Negotiations on Military Security and Arms Control Konstantin Gavrilov gave some insights into the Oct. 21 telephone discussion between Russian Defense Minister Sergey Shoigu and U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin.
Commenting that he hoped the discussion would lead to the U.S. keeping Russia informed on NATO’s current “Steadfast Noon” nuclear exercise, Gavrilov told the Rossiya-24 news channel last night that “we hope that after a U.S.-initiated conversation between Secretary Austin and our Minister Shoigu, we will have some clarification. After all, contact is contact.” Gavrilov further stated that Russia “is closely watching these moves. We hope that everything will turn out well.”
