Russia / Turkey: Putin and Erdogan discuss bilateral ties and regional issues in phone call

Russian President Vladimir Putin and Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan spoke by phone on Sunday, during which they discussed bilateral relations as well as a range of regional and international issues, according to Anadolu News Agency.

The Turkish President affirmed his country’s continuing efforts to ease regional tensions and contribute to peace initiatives, the same source added.

President Erdogan is scheduled to discuss the latest developments in the Russia-Ukraine conflict with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte on Monday during his visit to Ankara.

Russia struck Ukraine with a new hypersonic medium-range ballistic missile on Thursday in retaliation to Kyiv’s use of U.S. and British missiles against Russia.

On Wednesday, Erdogan expressed his opposition to the U.S. decision that authorised Ukraine to use long-range missiles to attack inside Russia, saying it would further inflame the conflict, according to a readout shared by his office.