1. US, Russian defense chiefs talk for 1st time since Russia invaded Crimea
U.S. Defense Secretary Ash Carter met his Russian counterpart at NATO headquarters in Brussels on Tuesday to discuss issues including Syria, Afghanistan, and Ukraine. The two men spoke for the first time since Russia annexed Crimea from Ukraine last month.Read more
Carter said he was concerned about reports that Russia had deployed advanced missiles in Crimea that could target Europe. He called for their removal.
Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu told Carter that Moscow has no plans to deploy banned cruise missiles near European countries.
The meeting came ahead of a planned visit this week by U.S. Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel to Russia.Read here
2. India abstents in UNHRC resolution condemning Russia over Ukraine
Russian Minister of Defense Sergei Shoigu talked with US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin on Friday following quite a while of denying direct contact with his American partner. However, authorities said the call didn't seem to flag any adjustment of Moscow's conflict in Ukraine.
In the mean time, India declined in the UN Human Rights Council on a goal on the crumbling basic liberties circumstance in Ukraine originating from the Russian animosity, where the Council emphasized its interest for a prompt end of military threats. The Geneva-put together Council with respect to Thursday shut its 34th extraordinary meeting subsequent to embracing the goal. The goal was embraced by a vote of 33 in favor, China and Eritrea casting a ballot against and 12 abstentions, including India, Armenia, Bolivia, Cameroon, Cuba, Kazakhstan, Namibia, Pakistan, Senegal, Sudan, Uzbekistan and Venezuela.
EU international strategy boss Josep Borrell said on Friday that the coalition would give one more 500 millions euros worth of military help to Ukraine and that he was sure an arrangement could be reached before long to concur a ban on Russian oil. In the interim, Ukrainian authorities say their powers took out one more Russian boat in the Black Sea.