US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin held a phone call with Russian Defense Minister Andrei Belousov on June 25, Pentagon spokesperson Pat Ryder said at a briefing. This is the first time Austin spoke to Belousov since the latter was appointed as Russia’s defense minister in May.

“During the call (with Belousov) the secretary emphasized the importance of maintaining lines of communication amidst Russia’s ongoing war against Ukraine”, - said Ryder.

The conversation took place as Russian troops are trying to conduct offensives in Donetsk and Kharkiv oblasts. Moscow has yet to comment on the talks between Austin and Belousov.

The Pentagon chief had a call with Shoigu in March 2023 in the wake of a Russian jet downing a U.S. drone over the international waters of the Black Sea.