President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan on Monday spoke over the phone with his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin, according to presidential sources.
The two heads of state discussed the latest developments in Syria. President Erdoğan expressed his concerns regarding the attacks in Eastern Ghouta’s Douma district, stressing the need to prevent civilian casualties and enable humanitarian aid to reach the area.
Over 70 civilians were killed after regime forces struck targets in Eastern Ghouta’s Douma district in an attack on Saturday, in which toxic gas appears to have been used, according to the White Helmets.
Home to 400,000 residents, Eastern Ghouta has remained under a crippling regime siege for the last five years, which has prevented the delivery of much needed humanitarian supplies.
According to UN officials, hundreds of thousands of people have been killed in the conflict in Syria to date.
Erdoğan and Putin also discussed bilateral relations, and affirmed their determination to further develop ties.
The two leaders also said that they were pleased by the results of the Turkey-Russia High-Level Cooperation Council (UDIK).
Putin and Erdoğan chaired the seventh UDIK meeting in Ankara in early April. The council discussed the current situation and prospects of bilateral trade and economic cooperation and the implementation of joint strategic projects, particularly in the energy sphere, as well as current regional and international issues, including joint counterterrorism efforts and developments in Syria.
