U.S. President Joe Biden spoke with his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin on the telephone on Tuesday and proposed a meeting "in a third country in the coming months."

During the conversation, they discussed various issues, including the Ukraine crisis. Putin outlined approaches to a political settlement of the tensions in the Donbass region based on the Minsk agreements.

White House said Biden informed Putin in their conversation that the U.S. was unwavering in its commitment to Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity.

Tensions remain high in the Donbass border region which has been dogged by conflict between Ukraine troops and separatists since 2014.

Russia has defended the troops deployment, saying it would be forced to protect the residents of Donbass if Ukraine launches full-scale hostilities against the region.

Biden also made clear that the U.S. will "act firmly in defense of its national interests in response to Russia's actions, such as cyber intrusions and election interference." 

The White House said that the two leaders "discussed a number of regional and global issues, including the intent of the United States and Russia to pursue a strategic stability dialogue on a range of arms control and emerging security issues, building on the extension of the New START Treaty."

The Kremlin on its part noted that the two leaders were ready to "continue dialogue" to ensure global security.

(With input from agencies)