Turkish FM: We want to meet with Russian, Ukrainian leaders as soon as possible

"We want to meet with the leaders of both Russia and Ukraine soon. I hope that our efforts will reduce tensions in the region," Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said at a joint press conference with his Central African counterpart Sylvie Baïpo-Temon, Report informs.

"We want the dialogue to continue. Not all problems can be solved with one statement or one document. NATO has demanded the recall of the Russian ambassador. Thus, steps to reduce tension come to the fore. Our bilateral relations continue. Erdogan spoke to his Russian counterpart on the phone ten times and once face to face last year. I spoke with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov five times on the phone and five times in person. We have a high level of cooperation with both Russia and Ukraine," Cavusoglu said.

The minister added that the exact date of Russian President Vladimir Putin's visit to Turkey would probably be announced soon.