Erdogan to Putin: region needs ceasefire, improvement of humanitarian conditions

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In a telephone conversation on Sunday, Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan told his Russian counterpart, Vladimir Putin, that a ceasefire and better humanitarian conditions were needed following Moscow's special military operation in Ukraine, his office said in a statement.

"Erdogan noted the importance of a ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine, the implementation of peace and the improvement of humanitarian conditions in the region."

The statement added that the two presidents agreed on the next round of peace talks between Ukraine and Russia to be held in Istanbul.

Earlier on Sunday, Ukrainian negotiator David Arakhamia said the next round of talks between Russia and Ukraine will be held in Turkey on March 28-30.

Putin informs Erdogan on Russia-Ukraine talks

A few days ago, Russian President Vladimir Putin spoke with his Turkish counterpart Recep Tayyip Erdogan over the phone and informed him of the ongoing talks between Russia and Ukraine.

A Kremlin statement said that various aspects of Russia's military operation were discussed, as well as the progress of negotiations. Both presidents also expressed their intention to develop their cooperation in the trade, economy, and energy sectors.

For his part, Turkey's Erdogan repeated his proposal to hold a meeting between the two presidents Putin and Zelensky in Turkey and expressed his gratitude for Russia's assistance in evacuating Turkish citizens from Ukraine.

Turkey held talks between Kiev and Moscow in a bid to simmer down tensions as the Russian special military operation in Ukraine unfolds.

The talks failed to achieve a breakthrough on a ceasefire or humanitarian issues, though Ankara used it to highlight its role as a "mediator" in the crisis.

Turkey advocates 'open dialogue' with Russia

Following the talks, Turkish Presidential Spokesperson, Ibrahim Kalin, said that Turkey understands countries' positions regarding Russia, but Ankara believes that it is in its interest to maintain an open line of communication with Moscow.

"We understand the feelings and positions of other countries that they have adopted [in relation to Russia]. However, we believe that we should maintain open dialogue with Russia. If everyone burns bridges with Russia, who will talk to them?" Kalin told Turkey's Star newspaper.

The Spokesperson asserted that Ankara should "keep open channels of communication with Russia and try to understand Moscow's security concerns," noting that Turkey is willing to facilitate negotiations between Putin and Zelensky as a "peaceful agreement on Ukraine can be achieved only at the highest level," according to Kalin. 

Recently supporting ceasefire in Ukraine, Turkey claims it respected the Montreaux Convention when it came to Western demands to block the Bosphorous and Dardanelles straits from Russian warships. 

Turkey, furthermore, has also refused to join the packages of sanctions against Russia.