Hagel Calls Russian Defense Minister About Olympics Security - East Idaho News
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Hagel Calls Russian Defense Minister About Olympics Security

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GETTY 012914 CHagel?  SQUARESPACE CACHEVERSION=1391064034663Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images(WASHINGTON) — Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel called Russian Defense Minister Sergey Shoygu Wednesday to reiterate the U.S. commitment to provide any security assistance to Russia for the upcoming Sochi Olympics.

“Any way that would be accessible to the Russian government,” Pentagon Press Secretary Rear Adm. John Kirby told reporters Wednesday at his weekly briefing.

“He believes that the minister and the Russian government are taking the security threats seriously there at the Olympics, and the two leaders agreed to maintain through subordinate military commands some sort of regular open dialogue as the Olympics draw near and as they progress,” he said.

Strangely, Hagel didn’t make a specific offer of assistance, Kirby called it “a check-in call” where “the two just wanted the opportunity to talk a little bit.”

According to Kirby, Hagel wanted to make sure that his counterpart knew how serious the U.S. was about the offer of support even though he didn’t really offer anything.

What they did agree on that it was “a good idea” that both the U.S. and Russian militaries should maintain a regular dialogue during the Olympics.  “They did agree that some sort of constant frequent dialogue or at least the opportunity to have that immediate dialogue through the Olympics would be helpful for both sides,” said Kirby.

When confused reporters asked if the Hagel call meant the Pentagon would be channeling support for Russia, Kirby said nothing had changed and that the State Department still had the lead.

“He felt that, as we’re now a week away, it’s a good idea to give them a call and just reiterate our willingness to help, if needed and if feasible and if accepted, and then just to — for the two to promise that, you know, we’ll try to keep the two militaries in touch,” said Kirby.

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