Putin, Erdogan discuss Ukraine, bilateral agenda by phone - Kremlin

MOSCOW. Nov 24 (Interfax) - Russian President Vladimir Putin has conducted a phone call with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, the Kremlin press service said in a statement on Monday.

"Relevant bilateral cooperation issues were discussed with focus on further expansion of trade and investment relations and implementation of strategic projects in the energy sector," the statement said.

The leaders "exchanged opinions on the Ukraine situation, including in light of the U.S. proposals on peace settlement," the press service said.

"Putin said that the version of these proposals that we have seen are in line with the discussions at the Russian-U.S. summit in Alaska and can generally form the basis for a final peace settlement. Russia's interest in a political and diplomatic solution to the Ukraine crisis was reaffirmed," it said.

Erdogan "expressed his intention to provide all possible assistance to the negotiation process and readiness to continue offering Istanbul as the venue for these purposes."

"It was agreed that Russian-Turkish contacts on the issue of Ukraine would be intensified on various levels," the statement said.

The Turkish president also shared his impressions from his visit to the G20 summit in Johannesburg and meetings with a number of G20 leaders.

The presidents agreed to maintain regular contacts.