China News Service, May 20 (Xinhua) According to a comprehensive report, on the 19th local time, Russian Chief of Staff Gerasimov and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff of the United States, Milley, talked on the phone, and the two sides discussed issues including the situation in Ukraine.

  The Russian Defense Ministry said the two sides discussed issues of mutual concern, including the situation in Ukraine.

  "Military leaders discussed security-related issues and agreed to keep lines of communication open," a spokesman for Milley said, though details would be kept under wraps.

  Earlier, Russian Defense Minister Shoigu had a phone call with U.S. Defense Secretary Austin on the 13th.

It was the first phone call between the defense ministers since Russia launched a special military operation in Ukraine.