Russian and Turkish Presidents Vladimir Putin and Recep Tayyip Erdogan have held a telephone conversation. This was reported on Monday by the Kremlin press service following the conversation between the leaders.
The leaders discussed the normalization of relations between Ankara and Damascus.
"[The leaders] discussed the normalization of Turkish-Syrian relations, including in the context of Ankara's initiative to launch consultations involving Russian, Turkish and Syrian representatives," the report said.
Putin and Erdogan discussed cooperation between the countries in the energy sector among priority issues.
"Both sides confirmed their intention for further comprehensive development of Russian-Turkish cooperation. Among the priorities is cooperation in the energy sector, including supplies of Russian natural gas and creating a regional gas hub in Turkey," the Kremlin reported.
They discussed the implementation of the grain deal. "[The leaders] considered the implementation of the Istanbul agreements dated July 22, 2022, on the export of Ukrainian grain from Black Sea ports and the unblocking of food and fertilizer supplies from Russia," the Kremlin press service said.
Situation in Ukraine
Putin and Erdogan discussed the issue of the Russian-Ukrainian exchange of prisoners, in particular the wounded.
"The exchange of views on the situation around Ukraine continued. In particular, at the initiative of the Turkish side and taking into account the recent contacts of the Russian and Ukrainian commissioners for human rights in Ankara, the issue of the exchange of prisoners, primarily wounded, was touched upon," the report said.
The Russian president drew the attention of his Turkish colleague to the destructive position taken by official Kiev, which refuses to accept the truce.
"Vladimir Putin drew attention to the destructive line of the Kiev regime, which has staked on intensifying hostilities with the support of Western sponsors, increasing the transfer of weapons and military equipment," the Kremlin said in a statement. "An example of Kiev's hypocritical policy was its rejection to cease-fire for the period of Orthodox Christmas," it noted.
GSV "Russia - Islamic World"
Photo: official website of the President of the Russian Federation
Based on materials from TASS