Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov (Photo: rianovosti/VOV)

The Pentagon said during the call Mr. Austin emphasized the importance of maintaining lines of communication" between the United States and Russia amid the ongoing military conflict in Ukraine.

This is only the second time the two have spoken since Russia started the military operation in Ukraine in February. The first call was on May 13.

On October 11, US President Joe Biden said Washington would be open to talks with Russia to end the conflict in Ukraine on the sideline of G20 Leader's Summit to be held in Bali, Indonesia next month. In a TV interview the same day, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said Russia would consider it if there is a proposed meeting between President Vladimir Putin and his US counterpart Joe Biden during the G20 summit.