The top nuclear envoys of the United States and Russia reportedly discussed the state of affairs on the Korean Peninsula over the phone on Thursday. 

The Russian Foreign Ministry said in a press release on Thursday that Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Igor Morgulov spoke on the phone with U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Stephen Biegun.

The ministry said that the current situation on the Korean Peninsula was discussed as well as possible future moves by related countries for the comprehensive settlement of issues in the region.

It added the phone talks were held at the request of the U.S., without elaborating on the details of the discussion. 

The two sides are thought to have shared their assessment of the Korean Peninsula situation and prospects for the resolution of the North Korean nuclear issue ahead of the launch of the Biden administration.