MOSCOW. Feb 18 (Interfax) - Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu will speak with United States Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin over the phone on Friday, the Russian Defense Ministry said.
"A phone call between Russian Defense Minister Gen. of the Army Sergei Shoigu and U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin will take place on February 18," the ministry said.
"The conversation will be conducted at the U.S. initiative," it said.
The ministry did not provide further details, including the agenda of the upcoming talks.