According to the Kremlin statement, the Russian president explained to his peer that this port city, in the Donetsk region, had already been liberated and no military actions were taking place there.

Referring to the military and nationalist battalions still entrenched in the Azovstal plant, he said that Ukrainian authorities should assume their political responsibility and, on the basis of humane considerations, order them to lay down their arms.

He reiterated that prisoners of war are guaranteed life and medical care in accordance with international legal norms.

The heads of State also agreed to continue the coordination between the defense ministries of the two countries to ensure the safe withdrawal of Turkish ships from the Black Sea ports along the sea corridor organized by Russia.

According to the Turkish President’s office, Erdogan assured Putin that his government will continue doing everything possible to establish a lasting peace in Ukraine.

He agreed with Moscow’s opinion that the negotiations between Ukrainian and Russian delegations on March 29 in Istanbul were positive.

Erdogan stressed that the realization of the proposals presented during that meeting will meet the interests of all parties.

The Turkish statement noted that Erdogan again offered Putin the possibility of organizing a meeting between him and his Ukrainian counterpart, Vladimir Zelensky.

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