Erdogan talks to Putin about Ukraine

Kremlin head Vladimir Putin and Turkish leader Recep Tayyip Erdogan have discussed the situation in Ukraine by phone. This was reported by the Turkish newspaper Hurriyet.

During the phone conversation, the leaders discussed steps to improve Turkish-Russian relations and developments in the Russian-Ukrainian war," the report said.

The newspaper wrote that the sides also discussed a "grain agreement". During the conversation, Erdogan "thanked Putin for his positive attitude towards the continuation of the Black Sea initiative".

Erdogan said Turkey attaches importance to an early negotiated end to the conflict between Russia and Ukraine, Turkish media reported.

The Turkish leader said during the conversation that Ankara and Moscow could take new steps on economic cooperation.

The previous conversation between the Turkish and Russian presidents took place on 26 February.