Russian President Vladimir Putin and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan held a telephone conversation on 18 July, according to the Kremlin. The two leaders reviewed bilateral relations and discussed regional security issues, including the war in Ukraine and the recent escalation in Syria. Putin expressed appreciation for Turkey’s continuing role as a venue for direct negotiations between Russian and Ukrainian officials in Istanbul, the Kremlin statement said. Erdogan reiterated Ankara’s willingness to facilitate further dialogue aimed at de-escalating the conflict.