MOSCOW, Nov 25, (Xinhua): Russian President Vladimir Putin and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Monday discussed bilateral ties and the situation of Ukraine in a phone call, according to the Kremlin. The conversation on the bilateral relationship focused on further expansion of trade and investment ties as well as the implementation of strategic projects in energy, the Kremlin said in a news release.

Regarding the Ukraine situation, Putin said the recent US peace proposals, which have been reviewed by Russia, "could in principle serve as a basis for the final peace settlement."

Putin added that the proposals were in line with what had been discussed during the Russia-US summit in August in the US state of Alaska. Erdogan expressed his intention to advance the negotiation process in every possible way and his willingness to keep Istanbul available as a platform for future negotiations, the Kremlin said. It added that both leaders agreed to intensify Russia-Türkiye contacts concerning Ukraine at various levels.