This handout picture taken and released by Turkish Presidential Press Service on Aug 5, 2022 shows Russia's President Vladimir Putin (right) meeting with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in Sochi. (MURAT KULA / TURKISH PRESIDENTIAL PRESS SERVICE / AFP)

ISTANBUL / MOSCOW - Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Russian President Vladimir Putin discussed the Black Sea Grain Initiative renewal over the phone on Saturday.

The Turkish presidency's communications department said Erdogan thanked Putin for Russia's positive stance on the extension of the initiative.

Erdogan expressed his gratitude for the help that Russia rendered in overcoming the aftermath of earthquakes in Türkiye, the Kremlin said, adding that the presidents agreed to continue working on the potential delivery of construction materials from Russia

The Turkish leader also reiterated Türkiye's commitment to a peaceful resolution to the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict.

Brokered by Türkiye and the United Nations (UN), the Black Sea Grain Initiative was signed by Russia and Ukraine last July to establish a maritime humanitarian corridor and export grain and fertilizer from Ukraine and Russia amid the conflict.

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Initially in effect for 120 days, the deal was extended in mid-November 2022 and again on March 18.

According to the UN, some 25 million tons of grain and foodstuffs were transported to 45 countries during the first two terms of the initiative, which helped to bring down global food prices and stabilize the markets.

Putin also discussed topics concerning the Russian-Turkish partnership in various fields during a telephone call with Erdogan, according to the Kremlin.

"Both sides expressed satisfaction with the positive dynamic of trade and economic relations, the successful implementation of joint strategic power engineering projects, including gas supplies, and the construction of the Akkuyu Nuclear Power Plant in Türkiye," the Kremlin said in a statement.

Erdogan expressed his gratitude for the help that Russia rendered in overcoming the aftermath of earthquakes in Türkiye, the Kremlin said, adding that the presidents agreed to continue working on the potential delivery of construction materials from Russia to restore destroyed infrastructure and residential buildings.

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"The Turkish leader positively assessed Russia's consent to extend the Istanbul Agreements, which deal with the export of Ukrainian grain from Black Sea ports and the unblocking of exports of Russian food and fertilizers for 60 days," it said.

The importance of continuing the normalization of Turkish-Syrian relations was also underlined. "Erdogan highlighted the constructive mediatory role Russia has played in this process," said the Kremlin.