Turkish president, EU Council chief discuss Russia-Ukraine war

By Kaan Bozdogan and Merve Berker

ISTANBUL (AA) - Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and European Council President Charles Michel discussed the latest developments about the Russia-Ukraine war over the phone on Saturday.

According to a statement by Turkiye's Communications Directorate, "the call addressed Russia's attack on Ukraine and the latest developments."

Erdogan told Michel that Turkiye will do its best to re-establish peace between Russia and Ukraine.

In a separate statement, the Communications Directorate said Erdogan also spoke to Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda over the phone.

The two leaders discussed the Russia-Ukraine war and regional developments, the statement said.

"Exchange with Turkiye's @RTErdogan on RU (Russian) aggression in Ukraine & worsening security situation in Europe," Nauseda said on Twitter.

"Urged strengthening of defenses in eastern @NATO flank, including Baltic region. Stressed that Russia's attacks on civil nuclear facilities in #Ukraine must face international response," he added.

Russia's war on Ukraine has led to international outrage, with the EU, US, UK, and others implementing tough financial sanctions on Moscow. The West is also supplying Kyiv with weapons and humanitarian aid.

At least 351 civilians have been killed and 707 injured in Ukraine since the beginning of the war on Feb. 24, according to UN figures.

More than 1.3 million people have fled Ukraine to neighboring countries, the latest data by the UN Refugee Agency showed.