The head of the Russian General Staff and the chairman of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff held talks

According to the Russian Defense Ministry, the parties discussed a number of issues, including the situation in Ukraine.

“On May 19, at the initiative of the American side, a telephone conversation took place between the Chief of the General Staff of the Russian Armed Forces - First Deputy Minister of Defense of Russia, General of the Army Valery Gerasimov and Chairman of the Committee of the Chiefs of Staff of the Armed Forces of the United States of America, General Mark Milley.

Issues of mutual interest were discussed, including the situation in Ukraine," the Russian Defense Ministry said.

Earlier, Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu and Pentagon chief Lloyd Austin held telephone conversations.