Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan held a telephone conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Saturday, during which the two leaders discussed the situation in Ukraine and bilateral relations, the office of the Turkish leader said.
"The call addressed the steps to strengthen the Turkey-Russia relations, as well as the latest developments in the Russia-Ukraine war", the presidency of the Turkish leader said.
During the phone conversation, Erdogan also "thanked President Putin for his positive stance regarding the extension of the Black Sea Grain Initiative" and stressed the importance Ankara attached to the immediate cessation of the Ukraine conflict through peaceful negotiations, the office added. "President Erdogan added that the two countries could take further steps based on the economic cooperation agreed upon in Sochi", the office said.
Urgent topics of Russian-Turkish partnership in various fields were discussed, Kremlin press office reports. "Satisfaction was expressed with the positive dynamics of trade and economic ties, the successful implementation of joint strategic projects in the energy sector, including gas supplies and the construction of the Akkuyu nuclear power plant in Turkey.
It was also agreed to work out the possibilities of organizing the supply of building materials from Russia in the interests of restoring the destroyed infrastructure and housing.
The Syrian problem was touched upon. The importance of continuing the process of normalizing Turkish-Syrian relations was emphasized. The President of Turkey especially noted in this connection the constructive mediating role of Russia", the readout said.
