Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu and U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin held a phone conversation, the Russian defense ministry said on Sunday.

"Telephone talks between Russian Defense Minister Army General Sergey Shoigu and U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin. The two defense ministers discussed the situation in Ukraine," TASS reported citing Russian Defense ministry.

The call was the second in the past three days by the two defense chiefs, having also had a phone conversation on Friday, initiated by the U.S. side.