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

U.S. Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin speaks during a news conference in Vilnius, Lithuania, February 19, 2022. REUTERS/Ints Kalnins

Russian President Vladimir Putin can still avoid a full-blown war of choice, U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said on Tuesday at the start of talks at the Pentagon with Ukraine's Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba.

"Mr. Putin can still avoid a full-blown, tragic war of choice," Austin told Kuleba, adding: "We will continue to work closely with you."

Before reporters were escorted from the room, Kuleba said: "My message is simple: (a) strong Ukraine is the best deterrence of Russia."

U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin walks into the Pentagon with Ukraine's Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba for meetings about Russia and the crisis in Ukraine in Washington, U.S., February 22, 2022. REUTERS/Idrees Ali

(Reporting by Idrees Ali, writing by Phil Stewart; Editing by Chizu Nomiyama)