Putin, Erdogan discuss grain corridor, gas hub, & Ukraine peace talks

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According to the office of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, the President held a phone call with his Russian counterpart President Vladimir Putin on Friday where they discussed several issues, including the relations between the two countries and the gas hub project to be established in Turkey.

The talks also covered the recent developments regarding the grain deal, in addition to the significance of Russian peace negotiations with Ukraine.

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"During the negotiations, regional issues were discussed, especially relations between Turkey and Russia, and the development of the situation regarding the grain corridor. President Erdogan thanked Russian President Putin for his constructive position on extending the Istanbul agreement on grain exports for 120 days," Erdogan's office said in a statement.

The Turkish President also highlighted that the meeting held in Ankara between heads of Russian and American intelligence services played a vital role in fending off escalation.

Read more: Turkey launches new route for Russian oil to EU

Erdogan expressed his "satisfaction with Russian President Putin's proposal to establish a natural gas center in Turkey, President Erdogan said the teams will carry out the necessary technical, legal and commercial assessments to achieve common goals as soon as possible," the statement added.

Earlier this week, Turkish Energy Minister Fatih Donmez announced that his country expects to be developing a roadmap for the establishment of a Russian gas hub by the end of 2022.

Last month, Donmez announced that Ankara and Moscow have come to an agreement over creating a gas hub that will link the two through Europe, and Ankara has already started on its part of the work.