ANKARA, October 11. /TASS/. Turkish Defense Minister Hulusi Akar and his Russian counterpart Sergey Shoigu on Tuesday held phone talks to discuss the situation in Ukraine, the grain deal and Syrian settlement, the Turkish Defense Ministry said.

"The situation in Ukraine, the implementation of the food deal, the Syrian settlement, bilateral and regional defense and security issues were discussed," the ministry said in a statement.

According to the statement, the sides noted the importance of a prompt ceasefire in Ukraine in order to prevent a further increase of the death toll, as well as the establishment of calm and stability in the region.

"A shared understanding has been expressed on the issue of a ceasefire," the statement said.

The ministers also discussed the successful implementation of the grain deal signed in Istanbul in July.

The Turkish defense minister said that his country, "providing all kinds of humanitarian assistance, as before, is ready to contribute to ensuring peace in the region."

Regarding Syria, the importance of eliminating the terrorist threat emanating from the territory of a neighboring country and confronting terrorist organizations was emphasized. With respect to that, the need to comply with the previous agreements was highlighted.