Russian President Vladimir Putin and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan discussed the Black Sea grain initiative during a phone call on Wednesday, the Turkish Presidency announced in a statement.

The two leaders also agreed on Putin's visit to Turkey, according to the statement.

"Expressing that steps should not be taken to escalate tensions during the Russia-Ukraine war, President Erdogan underlined the importance of the Black Sea Initiative, which he considers a 'bridge of peace'," reads the statement.

"Pointing out that the long-term shutdown of the Black Sea Initiative will not benefit anyone, and that the countries in need of grain and low income will suffer the most, President Erdogan pointed out that the prices of grains, which decreased by 23 percent during the implementation period, increased by 15 percent in the last two weeks," it added.

"President Erdogan noted that Turkey will continue to carry out intensive efforts and diplomacy for the continuation of the Black Sea Initiative," the statement said.

Erdogan also thanked his counterpart for the two amphibious firefighting aircraft sent by Russia to Turkey for its fight against forest fires.

Erdogan "expressed his satisfaction with the increasing interest of Russian tourists in Turkey, and expressed his belief that a record will be broken in tourism this year with joint efforts," according to the statement.