U.S. defense chief has no plans to talk to Russia, Pentagon says

[WorldNews]

By Phil Stewart WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. Defense Secretary Ash Carter has not spoken with his Russian counterpart since becoming Pentagon chief seven months ago, and has no plans to do so, despite Washington's concern about Russia's military presence inside Syria, the Pentagon said on Tuesday. The disclosure underscores an apparent shift that has been quietly taking place in the wake of Russia's annexation of Crimea last year, with the Pentagon deferring top-level national security discussions with Moscow to the State Department.

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