Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan held a telephone conversation with Russian dictator Vladimir Putin to discuss a number of issues, including ensuring the safety of navigation in the Black Sea, UNN reports with reference to Turkiye Today.
Details
According to a statement released by the Communications Directorate of the Republic of Turkey, during the conversation, President Erdoğan emphasized the importance of cooperation between Turkey and Russia in resolving regional issues.
The Turkish leader stated that his country is closely monitoring efforts to end the war between Russia and Ukraine, and reaffirmed Ankara's readiness to facilitate peace talks.
Erdoğan also stressed that Turkey is ready to host peace delegations to facilitate a reliable and lasting resolution to the conflict.
We are ready to provide any support, including holding peace talks, to ensure an honorable and lasting peace
In addition, Erdoğan and Putin discussed the importance of ensuring the safety of commercial shipping in the Black Sea. In particular, they discussed the resumption of the Black Sea Grain Initiative.
The Turkish President noted that measures aimed at strengthening security in the region would contribute to a broader peace process, reaffirming Turkey's commitment to prevent the Black Sea from becoming a conflict zone.
Addition
Foreign Ministry spokesman Georgiy Tikhiy refuted Russia's statements about the resumption of the Black Sea Grain Initiative and the lifting of sanctions as manipulations and not corresponding to reality.
"This is not true. No resumption of the Black Sea Grain Initiative. It is incorrect to speak about it in such a vein," the spokesman explained.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov stated that the US-Russia talks discussed, among other things, the issue of safe navigation in the Black Sea.