Turkish and Russian foreign ministers discuss Ukraine

Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan and his Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov have discussed the situation in Ukraine, among other issues, during a telephone conversation.

Turkish TV channel TRT Haber, citing sources in diplomatic circles, reported that Fidan had held a telephone conversation with Lavrov during which they discussed developments in Syria, energy security and the situation in Ukraine.

Updated at 11:25. The Russian Foreign Ministry said in a statement that Fidan and Lavrov "exchanged views on international and regional issues, including in the context of the situation around Ukraine".

The statement noted that they paid "special attention" to "the need to prevent actions that could create risks to energy security".

The parties also discussed "further steps to support the Syrian settlement through the organisation of an inclusive national dialogue involving all political and ethno-religious forces in Syria, as well as all 'external players' capable of contributing to the search for appropriate agreements."

Notably, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has had several conversations with Kremlin leader Vladimir Putin in recent months, in particular in late November and early December.

Earlier, the Turkish president made it clear that he did not support the US decision to allow Ukraine to use US-supplied ATACMS missiles against targets inside Russia.