WASHINGTON, July 15. /TASS/. US Special Presidential Envoy for Climate John Kerry and Russian President Vladimir Putin in a phone call highlighted the importance of cooperation on climate issues, the US Department of State said in a statement.

"Special Presidential Envoy Kerry emphasized that the United States and Russia have important roles to play, including on reducing greenhouse gas emissions in this critical decade, aiming for net-zero emissions in the long term, eliminating emissions from coal, and working to address Arctic-related climate issues under Russia’s chairmanship of the Arctic Council," the statement reads.

"Recognizing recent extreme weather events and other climate impacts, as well as the urgency to act, Special Presidential Envoy Kerry and President Putin underscored the importance of the United States and Russia working together across a range of climate issues," the statement said, adding: "They also affirmed the importance of working toward a successful COP26 in Glasgow, UK."

The Kremlin press service said earlier in a statement that Putin had held a telephone conversation with Kerry on Wednesday. The head of state stressed that Russia "places great importance on achieving the goals of the Paris Agreement and calls for a depoliticized and professional dialogue in the field." The parties touched upon preparations for the 2021 United Nations Climate Change Conference scheduled to take place in Glasgow between October 31 and November 12. They also exchanged views on the prospects for environmental cooperation in the Arctic.

On Monday, Kerry arrived in Moscow for a three-day visit. In particular, he held a meeting with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov.