Russian Defense Minister Andrei Belousov (right) and US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin (left). (Photo: Pravda/VNA)

Pentagon spokeswoman Sabrina Singh confirmed that the call was initiated by Moscow and stressed the importance of maintaining lines of communication amid the conflict in Ukraine.

The two sides agreed to continue occasional phone calls, despite tensions over the conflict in Ukraine.

On June 25, Russian Defense Ministry said Minister Belousov and his US counterpart discussed the Ukraine issue in a phone call initiated by Washington.