ANKARA, Oct. 7 (Xinhua) -- Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Russian President Vladimir Putin discussed efforts to ensure the safety of navigation in the Black Sea during a phone call on Wednesday, according to a statement from Türkiye's Presidential Directorate of Communications.
Erdogan stressed the importance of ongoing efforts to safeguard navigation in the Black Sea, where security incidents have raised concerns over maritime traffic, the statement said.
The Turkish leader also said Türkiye stands ready to contribute to efforts aimed at initiating direct contacts between Moscow and Kiev, as it maintains dialogue with both Russia and Ukraine and has sought to facilitate diplomatic efforts related to the ongoing conflict.
The latest call comes amid heightened attention to maritime security in the Black Sea following recent incidents involving Turkish-linked commercial vessels in the region. ■