Putin, Erdogan discuss Karabakh, Syria, Libya

Russian President Vladimir Putin has expressed deep concern about the persisting conflict in -Karabakh as well as the rising presence of foreign terrorists in the clashes in a phone conversation with his Turkish counterpart.

"Developments in the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict zone were discussed. The Russian side expressed deep concern about the ongoing military action, and the growing involvement of terrorists from West Asia," the Kremlin press service said in a Tuesday statement carried by the official TASS news agency, referring to the discussions between President Putin and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

Putin informed Erdogan about "contacts with the leadership of Armenia and Azerbaijan, and measures taken for soonest ceasefire and de-escalation of the crisis" during the conversation, which was initiated by Ankara, the statement said.

It said the two leaders agreed on "further coordination between the diplomatic and defense agencies of Russia and Turkey, and between the two countries' special services."

Meanwhile, clashes continue between Azeri and Armenian forces in Karabakh despite three attempts to establish a ceasefire.

According to the Kremlin statement, Putin and Erdogan also discussed “in detail” developments and matters of cooperation in war-ravaged Syria and Libya.

The sides "noted the importance of joint efforts to implement the existing agreements on stabilization in Idlib and the Trans-Euphrates area," it said.

"The leaders also exchanged opinions about political settlement in Syria, including with the assistance of the Astana process guarantor nations," the statement said.

SS