Erdogan and Putin hold telephone discussion on Black Sea security and Ukraine

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan held a telephone conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Wednesday, October 7, 2026, marking the Russian leader's 74th birthday. According to the Turkish presidency, the discussion covered bilateral relations, the ongoing war in Ukraine, and regional international developments. During the call, Erdogan extended birthday greetings to Putin and congratulated him on his party's success in the recent Russian State Duma elections.

A primary focus of the dialogue was the security of navigation in the Black Sea, which has become a point of concern following recent incidents involving commercial vessels. Erdogan emphasized the necessity of ensuring safe maritime traffic in the region. Furthermore, the Turkish President reiterated his country's readiness to facilitate direct contact between Moscow and Kiev, positioning Turkey as a potential mediator to promote diplomatic solutions for the conflict. The interaction highlights Turkey's ongoing role in maintaining dialogue with both sides while managing maritime security challenges.