Pentagon chief calls on Putin to avoid full-blown "war of choice"

WASHINGTON – Russian President Vladimir Putin can nonetheless keep away from a full-blown struggle of selection, U.S. Protection Secretary Lloyd Austin mentioned on Tuesday in the beginning of talks on the Pentagon with Ukraine’s International Minister Dmytro Kuleba.

“Mr. Putin can nonetheless keep away from a full-blown, tragic struggle of selection,” Austin instructed Kuleba, including: “We'll proceed to work intently with you.”

Earlier than reporters have been escorted from the room, Kuleba mentioned: “My message is straightforward: (a) robust Ukraine is the most effective deterrence of Russia.”