WASHINGTON, (Reuters) – The U.S. Military’s top officer General Mark Milley spoke to Valery Gerasimov of Russia by phone on Thursday. This was the Pentagon’s first contact between them since February’s Russian invasion of Ukraine.

Milley is the Chairman of the U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff.

According to the spokesperson, “In conformity with past practices, the specific details their conversation will remain private.”

However, the U.S. military did not discuss any particular issues.

According to RIA news agency (citing Russian defense ministry), the leaders of the military discussed topics of mutual interest, including Ukraine.

After Lloyd Austin, the U.S. defense secretary, spoke to his Russian counterpart last Wednesday and after that Chief of Pentagon called for an immediate ceasefire.

Russia and the United States established a hotline on February 24th to stop miscalculations or any increase in the conflict.

The hotline for “deconfliction”, which is open to all, is based in Stuttgart, Germany at European Command Headquarters. It falls under Air Force General Tod Wolfers, who oversees all U.S. military forces in Europe.

Wolters spoke in Brussels Thursday and said that he hopes the call between Milley, Gerasimov is one step closer towards a diplomatic solution for Ukraine.

Despite the fact that Russia’s invasion has already left many people dead, or seriously injured, it appears there is little progress on the diplomatic front. This was more than two years after Russia invaded.