ANKARA, October 7. /TASS/. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan told his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin that Ankara is ready to facilitate direct contacts between Russia and Ukraine.

"Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan held a phone call with Russian President Vladimir Putin. The sides discussed bilateral relations as well as regional and global issues during the conversation. President Erdogan said that ensuring safe navigation in the Black Sea is a top priority and stressed that Turkey is always ready to help establish direct contacts between Russia and Ukraine," the Turkish leader’s office said following the presidents’ phone call.

Erdogan also congratulated Putin on his birthday and on the success of the United Russia Party in elections to the State Duma.