Russian and Turkish presidents hold phone call regarding ambassador assassination.

Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan spoke by phone with his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin, providing an update on the investigation into the assassination of the Russian ambassador to Ankara.

Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan (left) and Russian President Vladimir Putin. Photo: Reuters.

Russian Ambassador to Türkiye Andrei Karlov was shot dead on December 19 by an assassin who shouted "Allahu Akbar" and "Don't forget Aleppo" before opening fire. The ambassador was buried with military honors in Moscow on December 22.

"The Turkish president informed Vladimir Putin on December 23 about the progress of the investigation into the assassination of the Russian ambassador in Ankara," Reuters quoted a Kremlin statement as saying. "Close cooperation between the law enforcement and special services of the two countries was mentioned."

The two leaders discussed the situation in Syria, expressing satisfaction with the conclusion of the operation to evacuate rebels from Aleppo, Syria.

"This means that favorable conditions have emerged to begin the peace process, moving toward ending hostilities throughout Syria and transitioning to a political solution," according to the Kremlin.

Russian news agencies reported early on December 23 that a battalion of Russian military police had been deployed from the Hmeimim air base in Latakia to Aleppo. The battalion will assist local authorities in law enforcement, according to the Russian Ministry of Defense.

According to VNE