Russian and Turkish Presidents Vladimir Putin and Recep Tayyip Erdogan discussed the course of the Russian special operation in Ukraine in a telephone conversation, the Kremlin press service reported following the conversation.

"Various aspects of the development of the situation around the conduct of a special military operation to protect Donbass were discussed," the press service said in a statement.

The Russian leader also informed his interlocutor about the course of negotiations between Russian and Ukrainian representatives. In addition, the leaders gave a positive assessment to "the results of the recent talks between the Foreign Ministers in Antalya and Moscow."

In turn, Erdogan thanked the Russian Federation for assistance in the evacuation of Turkish citizens from Ukraine.

“In the conversation, special emphasis was placed on the humanitarian component. Recep Tayyip Erdogan expressed his gratitude for assistance in the evacuation of Turkish citizens from the territory of Ukraine, as well as in the safe exit of ships with Turkish cargo from Russian ports in the Sea of ​​Azov,” the Kremlin noted.

The press service also said that Putin and Erdogan are determined to develop cooperation between the Russian Federation and Turkey, including in the energy sector. “Issues on the bilateral agenda have been considered in detail. The mood was expressed for the further development of mutually beneficial trade and economic cooperation, including the implementation of strategic projects in the energy sector,” the Kremlin said in a statement.

Following a telephone conversation, the presidents of the two countries agreed to continue contacts at various levels.