Russian President Vladimir Putin and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan discussed the progress of the Russian special military operation in Ukraine, Kremlin press office said in a statement after the phone call between the two leaders Thursday.
“The sides discussed various aspects of development of the situation around the special military operation on protection of Donbass,” the press office said.
The Russian leader also informed his counterpart about the progress of Russian-Ukrainian talks. The two leaders also provided positive assessment of the “outcome of the recent talks of Foreign Ministers in Antalya and Moscow.”
In turn, Erdogan thanked Russia for its assistance in evacuation of Turkish citizens from Ukraine.
“The conversation made a special emphasis on the humanitarian component. Recep Tayyip Erdogan expressed his gratitude for assistance in evacuation of Turkish citizens from Ukraine, and in safe departure of ships with Turkish cargo from Russian ports in the Sea of Azov,” the Kremlin said.
On February 24, Russian President Vladimir Putin announced a special military operation in response to a request for aid from Donbass republics. He underscored that Moscow does not plan to occupy Ukrainian territories, but instead aims to demilitarize and denazify the republic.
TASS
