MOSCOW, October 11. /TASS/. Turkey is ready to assist in the diplomatic settlement of the conflict in Ukraine, Turkish Defense Minister Hulusi Akar told his Russian counterpart Sergey Shoigu over phone, according to the Russian Defense Ministry.

"On October 11, 2022, telephone talks were held between Russian Defense Minister Army General Sergey Shoigu and Hulusi Akar, Minister of National Defense of the Republic of Turkey. During the talks the sides discussed the state and prospects of bilateral relations, regional security issues, as well as the situation in Ukraine and Syria. <...> The Turkish side confirmed its readiness to provide comprehensive assistance in resolving the situation in Ukraine through diplomatic means," the statement said.

In addition, the sides discussed the implementation of the grain export from Ukrainian ports in connection with the implementation of agreements on the export of Russian agricultural products and fertilizers. The Defense Ministers also noted the importance of interaction to prevent the terrorist threat in Syria, as well as the readiness to comply with the agreements reached on this issue.