Biden speaks to Turkey's Erdogan to discuss invasion of Ukraine
President Joe Biden spoke to Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan Thursday to discuss the Russian invasion of Ukraine, after Turkey hosted talks between Russia and Ukraine's foreign ministers.
"President Biden expressed appreciation for Turkey’s efforts to support a diplomatic resolution to the conflict, as well as Turkey’s recent engagements with regional leaders that help promote peace and stability," the White House said in a statement.
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The two leaders also discussed opportunities to strengthen their bilateral ties. In a press briefing, White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki said the call was "constructive" and confirmed it was lengthy, lasting around an hour or more.
"It is important that [Turkey] is in a facilitator position in search for a solution, in case the Russia-Ukraine crisis deepens further," Erdogan told Biden, according to Turkey's Anadolu, a state-run news agency.
"Even organizing a tripartite meeting of foreign ministers of [Turkey], Russia, and Ukraine in Antalya is a diplomatic victory by itself," he told Biden, according to the news service.
According to Anadolu, Erdogan also told Biden "it is time to lift all unjust sanctions" on Turkey's defense industry.
-ABC News' Christine Theodorou and Molly Nagle