Turkish and Russian Presidents Discuss Bilateral Relations and Regional and International Issues

Istanbul, Oct 7 (KUNA) -- Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and his Russian counterpart, Vladimir Putin, discussed bilateral relations and regional and international issues during a phone call on Wednesday, according to a statement issued by the Communication Directorate of the Turkish Presidency. During the call, the Turkish president emphasized the significant importance of efforts to ensure the safety of maritime navigation in the Black Sea. He also noted Turkey’s readiness to contribute to initiatives aimed at launching direct talks between Russia and Ukraine. Since February 24, 2022, Russia has been waging a military offensive against Ukraine, insisting that an end to the war requires Kyiv to abandon its pursuit of joining Western military blocs, a demand Ukraine considers interference in its internal affairs. (End)