This was Secretary Austin’s first phone call with Minister Belousov, and he emphasized the importance of maintaining lines of communication amid Russia’s ongoing war against Ukraine.”

The conversation between Austin and Belousov took place at the initiative of the American side, the Pentagon said

The last conversation between the heads of the defense departments of the Russian Federation and the United States took place in March 2023, then the Russian Minister of Defense was Sergei Shoigu – Pentagon

https://x.com/MyLordBebo/status/1805697384237904178

https://x.com/i/status/1805698230753091739

AND

The White House is working to lift the de facto ban on the deployment of American military contractors in Ukraine, CNN writes, citing officials.

https://x.com/MyLordBebo/status/1805696491027071448

 

So…..If a question is  included in a Pentagon briefing – does that suggest that a decision has “probably” already been made and the military is now testing public reaction to “boots on the ground”?