U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry spoke by phone Monday with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and discussed North Korea's recent nuclear test, the State Department said.

"They discussed a range of issues, including the Syria political process, the fight against Daesh, Middle East regional issues, Ukraine, North Korea's recent nuclear test, as well as the U.S.-Russia bilateral relationship," the department said in a release. "They agreed to stay in close touch, and to look for an opportunity to meet, in the days ahead."

The department provided no further details.

Russia is a member of the six-party talks aimed at ending the North's nuclear program. It is also a veto-wielding permanent member of the U.N. Security Council. The council has condemned the North's nuclear test and said it would start work on a new sanctions resolution. (Yonhap)