US Secretary of State John Kerry and Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov discussed over the phone on Monday the nuclear test conducted by North Korea last week as well as the ongoing Syrian peace process, the US Department of State announced in a statement.

"They discussed a range of issues, including the Syria political process, the fight against Daesh [Islamic State], Middle East regional issues, Ukraine, North Korea’s recent nuclear test, as well as the US-Russia bilateral relationship," the statement said on Monday.

Kerry and Lavrov agreed to hold a bilateral meeting in the near future during their phone conversation on Monday.

"They [Lavrov, Kerry] agreed to stay in close touch, and to look for an opportunity to meet, in the days ahead," the release said.

Source: MENA