Speaking On Phone, President Putin And Erdogan Discussed An Increase In Ukraine's Relations And Ends Of War

JAKARTA - Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan spoke by telephone with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Friday, discussing improving relations between the two countries until the end of the war in Ukraine.

"He (President Erdogan) repeated Ankara's willingness to do his part to resolve the war in Ukraine peacefully," President Erdogan's office said.

Recent developments in Ukraine, which Russia observed earlier this year, were also discussed at the meeting, according to the Turkish Directorate of Communications.

The phone call came at a time when President Putin was 70 years old. President Erdogan said the Kremlin leader was grateful for Turkey's mediation, citing Daily Sabah.

Turkey has been active in taking on the role of mediators since Russia's invasion of Ukraine, including hosting Russia-Ukraine dialogue in Istanbul at the start of the invasion.

Recently, Turkey played a role in the exchange of detainees between Kyiv and Moscow some time ago.

Turkey, which has close ties to Ukraine and Russia, is trying to balance relations with both sides. Ankara rejected Western sanctions against Moscow but criticized the invasion, and supplied drones for Kyiv.