Erdogan, Putin tackle situation in Ukraine, bilateral relations
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In a phone call, Russian President Vladimir Putin and his Turkish counterpart stressed on ensuring safe navigation in the Black and Azov seas.
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Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Russian President Vladimir Putin (Archive)
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Russian President Vladimir Putin discussed the situation in Ukraine during a phone call on Monday, according to the Turkish Presidency office.
"Regional issues were discussed, such as the Russian operation in Ukraine, as well as Turkish-Russian relations. Erdogan said that steps were needed that will minimize the negative consequences of the war and strengthen confidence by quickly restoring the ground for peace between Russia and Ukraine. President Erdogan proposed holding a meeting with Russia, Ukraine, and the UN in Istanbul and play a role in a possible monitoring mechanism if both sides agree in principle," the office said.
Regarding the developments in Ukraine, the Kremlin said that Russian President Vladimir Putin and his Turkish counterpart have also focused on ensuring safe navigation in the Black and Azov seas.
In a statement, the Kremlin added, "When discussing the situation in Ukraine, the focus was on ensuring safe navigation in the Black and Azov Seas, eliminating the mine threat in their waters."
On his account, Putin affirmed Russia's willingness to facilitate maritime cargo transit in the Black Sea in collaboration with Turkish partners.
It is worth mentioning that Turkey hosted talks between Kiev and Moscow in a bid to simmer down tensions to no avail.
The talks failed to achieve a breakthrough on a ceasefire or humanitarian issues, though Ankara tried to exploit the situation to highlight its role as a "mediator" in the crisis.
