Ankara reiterated its desire to contribute to a peaceful end to the conflict in Ukraine during a phone conversation between Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin, according to a statement released by Erdogan’s office on Friday.
The discussion also covered the most recent developments in Ukraine, which Russia invaded earlier this year, according to Turkey’s Directorate of Communications.
Turkey, a NATO member with deep links to both Ukraine and Russia, has attempted to maintain a balance in its relations throughout the conflict by opposing Western sanctions against Moscow, denouncing the Russian incursion, and providing Kiev with armed drones.
The July agreement to allow Ukrainian grain shipments from its Black Sea ports was mediated by Turkey and the UN, and it continues to be the sole important diplomatic achievement in the conflict’s seven-month history.
The relationship between Ankara and Russia is complicated; while the two nations work together to supply energy, they disagree over issues such as Syria, Libya, and Azerbaijan.
