18 Nov 2022 13:59

Erdogan speaks with Putin over phone, thanks him for his approach toward extending Istanbul grain deal

ISTANBUL. Nov 18 (Interfax) - Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan thanked Russian President Vladimir Putin for his constructive approach toward extending the Black Sea Grain Initiative during a phone call on Friday, the Anadolu news agency said.

"During the phone conversation, Turkish President Erdogan thanked Russian President Putin for the constructive position on extending the Istanbul grain deal," Anadolu said.

The leaders also discussed bilateral relations and regional issues, it said.

Erdogan also highly assessed his Russian counterpart's proposal to establish a gas hub in Turkey, Anadolu said. Turkey's technical and legal working groups will study this initiative as promptly as possible, the Turkish leader said.

Besides, Erdogan welcomed the talks between Russian Foreign Intelligence Service Director Sergei Naryshkin and CIA Director William Burns that took place in Ankara on November 14. The Turkish president described this meeting as "the key" to averting escalation.