ISTANBUL (Reuters) - Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan spoke by phone with U.S. President Donald Trump and discussed efforts to end the war between Russia and Ukraine and to restore stability in Syria, Erdogan's office said on Sunday.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan on March 16 spoke with U.S. President Donald Trump for the first time since his second term began in January, with the conversation covering key issues, including Russia's war against Ukraine.

In their first official call since Trump's return to office, the pair discussed efforts to end the Russia-Ukraine war, the situation in Syria, and lifting US sanctions on Turkey.

In his communication with the US president, Erdogan said that Turkey has been "striving for a just and lasting peace since the beginning of the war in Ukraine"

"Stating that regional and global developments require intensified consultations between Türkiye and the United States on all issues, President Erdoğan said that Türkiye supports President Trump’s firm and direct initiatives to end the war between Russia and Ukraine,

Türkiye's President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan spoke by phone with US President Donald Trump on Sunday, March 16. Their conversation included discussions on Russia’s war against Ukraine. During the call, Erdoğan expressed support for President Trump's "direct and decisive initiative for the termination of the Russia-Ukraine war.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan held a telephone conversation with US counterpart Donald Trump on Sunday 16 March, which also touched on the Russo-Ukrainian war. Source: press service of the Turkish president,