YEREVAN, OCTOBER 21, ARMENPRESS. Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu had a telephone conversation with United States Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin, the situation in Ukraine and international security were discussed, ARMENPRESS reports the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation informed.

"On October 21, the Minister of Defense of the Russian Federation, General of the Army Sergei Shoigu and the United States Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin had a telephone conversation. Current issues of international security were discussed, including the situation in Ukraine," the message said.

The Pentagon, for its part, said that during a phone conversation with the Russian Defense Minister, Austin emphasized the importance of maintaining communication channels between the parties.