Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan held a phone call with Russian President Vladimir Putin to discuss bilateral relations, the latest developments in Syria, and regional and international issues, according to Turkey’s official news agency.

During the call, Erdogan reaffirmed Turkey’s support for Syria’s territorial integrity and emphasized the need for a fair and lasting resolution to the Syrian crisis. He also stressed the importance of creating more space for diplomacy in the region and urged the Syrian regime to engage in the political process to achieve stability.

Erdogan highlighted the importance of protecting civilians amid the recent developments and asserted that Syria should not become a source of further instability. He noted Turkey’s ongoing efforts to restore calm in the neighboring country.

The Turkish president also stated that Turkey remains steadfast in its fight against the PKK terrorist organization and its affiliates, which he accused of exploiting the situation in Syria.