Hong Kong Fintech News, Cryptocurrency Stories, Business Press Releases

Putin, Erdogan discuss Ukraine situation over phone

A handout photograph taken and released on Sept 29, 2021 by the Turkish Presidential Press service shows Russian President Vladimir Putin (right) speaking with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan after their meeting at the Russian Official Residence of Presidency in Sochi. (MUSTAFA  KAMACI / TURKISH PRESIDENTIAL PRESS SERVICE / AFP)

MOSCOW/ROME – Russian President Vladimir Putin discussed the development of bilateral economic cooperation, and the situation in Ukraine during a telephone call with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Monday.

Both leaders "focused on tasks to further promote economic cooperation, including measures to improve the contractual legal framework, boost trade and use national currencies in transactions, as well as to ensure uninterrupted supplies of Russian energy," the Kremlin said.

ALSO READ: Xi, Putin urge more equitable world order

Putin and Erdogan also exchanged views on the situation in Ukraine, including ways in which both countries can coordinate efforts to ensure safe navigation in the Black Sea, and the export of grain to global markets.

Turkey is ready to provide all kinds of support for the revival of the negotiation process between Russia and Ukraine

Recep Tayyip Erdogan, President, Turkey

Erdogan said it is time for the United Nations "to take action for the plan regarding the formation of secure corridors via the Black Sea for grain export," according to Turkey's presidential office.

Turkey is ready to provide all kinds of support for the revival of the negotiation process between Russia and Ukraine, Erdogan added.

Ukraine crisis, inflation weigh on Italian economy

The ongoing crisis in Ukraine continued to take a negative toll on Italy's economic situation, the National Institute of Statistics (ISTAT) said in its monthly update on economic trends.

There was "high uncertainty linked to the conflict between Russia and Ukraine" combined with inflationary pressure and a change in monetary policy in the euro zone, it said.

The crisis in Ukraine is seen as helping spark an increase in energy crisis that has had a knock-on effect on other parts of the economy, including industrial production and transportation.

READ MORE: Peace negotiations with Ukraine to get more difficult, says Putin

ISTAT said that its seasonally adjusted index of industrial production's post-pandemic recovery phase that started in January was "interrupted" in May, though it still remained above levels from 2021.