Putin, Nazarbayev discuss Russian-Turkish relations by phone

ASTANA, February 8. /TASS/. Presidents of Russia and Kazakhstan Vladimir Putin and Nursultan Nazarbayev have discussed in a telephone conversation on Monday the deterioration of relations between Russia and Turkey. "The two leaders exchanged views regarding the deterioration of the Russian-Turkish relations. Vladimir Putin reiterated that the difficulties had been created by the Turkish side, therefore, Turkey should take steps to mend the bilateral relations," said the press service of the Kazakh president. The two sides also "discussed the current state of the Russian-Ukrainian relations and further progress in the implementation of the Minsk agreements," the press service added. The two presidents "confirmed that the bilateral cooperation between Russia and Kazakhstan during this difficult time would be based on the spirit of trust, the traditional friendly relations and good-neighborliness." The Russian and Kazakh leaders also discussed the schedule of meetings in 2016 within the framework of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU), the Interregional Cooperation Forum and other venues. For its part, the Kremlin press service reported on Monday that Vladimir Putin and Nursultan Nazarbayev had discussed in the telephone conversation economic issues, including the situation in the energy sector. "They exchanged views on topical issues of regional policy," the Kremlin press service said, adding that the schedule of bilateral contacts was discussed as well. During the talks with Turkish Prime Minister Ahmet Davotoglu who arrived in Astana on February 6, the Kazakh leader noted that for his country the crisis in relations between Turkey and Russia "had become a big problem" and pointed to the need "to seek ways out of the situation." Read more