Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan spoke on the phone with his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin about improving bilateral relations and reiterated Ankara’s willingness to take part in a peaceful resolution of the war in Ukraine, Erdogan’s office announced on Friday, Reuters and Agerpres reads.

The latest developments in Ukraine, which Russia invaded earlier this year, were also discussed during the call, according to Turkey’s Communications Directorate.

NATO member Turkey has close ties to both Ukraine and Russia and has sought to balance ties during the war, rejecting Western sanctions on Moscow but criticizing the Russian invasion and supplying Kiev with armed drones.

Agerpres