Putin informs Erdogan of progress in Ukraine - Kremlin

• 

In a phone conversation on Sunday, Russian President Vladimir Putin updated his Turkish counterpart, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, on the status of Russia's special military operation in Ukraine, including its primary goals and duties, the Kremlin said.

"Vladimir Putin informed [Erdogan] about the progress of the special military operation to protect Donbas, outlined the principled approaches and assessments in this context, explained in detail the main goals and objectives set," the Kremlin said in a statement.

According to the statement, Putin told Erdogan that the operation was going as planned.

“The Russian armed forces are doing everything possible to preserve lives and ensure the safety of civilians; targeted strikes are carried out exclusively on military infrastructure facilities,” the statement read.

The Kremlin cited Ukrainian nationalist and neo-Nazi groups' "particular cruelty and cynicism" in continuing to strike Donbass and using people as "human shields," including foreigners taken hostage in Ukrainian cities.

According to the statement, Putin has highlighted to Erdogan the "futility" of Kiev's efforts to stymie the talks process, and "emphasized that the suspension of the special operation is possible only if Kiev ceases hostilities and fulfills Russia's well-known requirements."

The Russian President told his Turkish counterpart that Moscow was ready to aid Ankara in relocating Turkish citizens from combat zones in Ukraine.

"Vladimir Putin confirmed the readiness of the Russian side to provide all necessary assistance for the safe evacuation of Turkish citizens from combat areas," the Kremlin said in a statement.

Turkey has offered itself as a potential mediator in the Ukraine conflict,  citing excellent relations with both Kiev and Moscow as justification. At the same time, Ankara has closed the Bosphorus and Dardanelles Straits to all ships, including Russian warships, and has continued to ship Bayraktar drones to Ukraine.