The US and Russian defence secretaries have spoken in a phone call, in a rare moment of high-level contact between the two countries since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin and his Russian counterpart Sergei Shoigu spoke on Friday, both countries have confirmed. Both sides said the situation in Ukraine was discussed. It is the first time they have reported a conversation since a call on 13 May. After Friday’s call, the Pentagon said Mr Austin had “emphasised the importance of maintaining lines of communication amid the ongoing war against Ukraine”. Russia’s defence ministry said that “current questions of international security were discussed, including the situation in Ukraine”. After their previous conversation in May, Mr Austin urged his counterpart to call an immediate ceasefire – a request that was not mentioned this time. It comes after hints from Russian President Vladimir Putin that he may be willing to use nuclear weapons in Ukraine, and warnings against this from US President Joe Biden. Officials in both the US and the UK say they believe the chances of Mr Putin carrying out these veiled threats are low.(BBC)…[+]