A senior Russian government official, Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov, told TASS on July 31 that Defense Minister Andrey Belousov had spoken with U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin back on July 12 to deliver a sharp warning about intended new provocations in the Ukraine war. The New York Times had also reported a couple of days ago about the frank exchange, but provided no details nor specific source.
“A very serious warning was sent by the Russian side regarding new provocations from Kiev, which are inconceivable without Washington’s direct assistance,” Ryabkov told TASS. “This warning was made in order to avoid further dangerous escalation, which may cause consequences that may become totally uncontrollable,” Ryabkov reported gravely.
