WASHINGTON, June 25. /TASS/. The conflict in Ukraine was the focus of a phone call between US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin and Russian Defense Minister Andrey Belousov, Pentagon Spokesman Patrick Ryder said.

"Secretary Austin also spoke by phone today with Russian Minister of Defense Andrey Belousov. During the call, the Secretary emphasized the importance of maintaining lines of communication amid Russia's ongoing war against Ukraine," he said.

"The last time Secretary Austin spoke to his Russian counterpart, then Russian Minister of Defense Sergey Shoigu, was on March 15, 2023," he said, adding that the call was initiated by the US side.