Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for European and Eurasian Affairs Karen Donfried spoke on the phone on Monday, August 1 to discuss the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict and the situation in the region.

“Issues on the normalization of relations between Armenia and Azerbaijan, as well as the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict were discussed,” the Armenian Foreign Ministry said in a statement.

“Weighing in on the solution of the humanitarian problems resulting from the 44-day war, the sides emphasized the need for the urgent release of Armenian POWs and other detainees.”

The discussion came amid renewed tensions in Karabakh as the Azerbaijani military attempted to cross the line of contact. The Defense Army of Karabakh said later on Monday that they were working with the Russian peacekeeping contingent to “address the situation”.