In this June 28, 2019 file photo, US President Donald Trump, right, attends a meeting with Russia's President Vladimir Putin during the G20 summit in Osaka, Japan. (BRENDAN SMIALOWSKI / AFP)

WASHINGTON/MOSCOW - US President Donald Trump and his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin on Thursday discussed issues of COVID-19 and arms control during a phone conversation, the White House said.

The New START, the last remaining nuclear arms control treaty in force between the two nuclear superpowers, will expire on Feb. 5, 2021

In the phone call to commemorate the 75th anniversary of Victory in Europe Day, the two leaders discussed progress on defeating the coronavirus pandemic, and Trump said his country is ready to provide assistance to Russia, according to a White House statement.

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"President Trump reaffirmed that the United States is committed to effective arms control that includes not only Russia, but also China, and looks forward to future discussions to avoid a costly arms race," said the statement.

China has repeatedly reiterated that it has no intention of participating in the so-called trilateral arms control negotiations with the United States and Russia.

In 2010, Washington and Moscow signed the New Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (New START), which stipulates the limits to the numbers of deployed nuclear warheads and strategic delivery systems by both countries. The New START, the last remaining nuclear arms control treaty in force between the two nuclear superpowers, will expire on Feb. 5, 2021.

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The agreement can be extended for at most five years with the consent of the two countries. Russia has expressed willingness to extend the treaty, while the Trump administration has yet to officially reply.

In its statement, the Kremlin said the two leaders agreed to “promote coordination” in the fight against the pandemic.

"In discussing the coronavirus situation, a positive assessment was given to bilateral cooperation. It was agreed to further promote coordination in this direction," the Kremlin said. "In particular, the United States offered to send Russia medical equipment."

The two leaders exchanged congratulations on the 75th anniversary of the World War II victory, stressing the significance of the alliance at that time, according to the Kremlin.

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Putin and Trump agreed that the two countries can make progress on many current issues if they follow this tradition, including ensuring the strategic stability, combating terrorism, resolving regional conflicts and countering epidemics, the Kremlin said.

The two leaders also touched upon other pressing issues on the international agenda and reaffirmed the importance of maintaining bilateral dialogue and contacts in various fields, it added.