ISTANBUL: Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan spoke by phone with Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin about improving bilateral ties and he repeated Ankara's willingness to do its part to peacefully resolve war in Ukraine, Erdogan's office said. Latest developments in Ukraine, which Russia invaded earlier this year were also discussed in call, according to Turkey's Directorate of Communications.

NATO member Turkey has close relations with both Ukraine and Russia and has sought to balance ties during war, rejecting Western sanctions on Moscow while criticising Russian invasion and supplying Kyiv with armed drones. Along with United Nations, Turkey brokered July deal to unlock Ukrainian grain exports from its Black Sea ports, in what remains only significant diplomatic breakthrough in seven-month-old conflict.

Ankara's relations with Russia are complex, with two countries cooperating closely on energy supplies while being at odds over Syria, Libya and Azerbaijan.

Published in The Daily National Courier, October, 08 2022

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