President Erdogan told his counterpart Putin that Turkey could intermediate tense negotiations around Zaporizhia nuclear factory.

President Erdogan affirmed that Turkey could play an intermediary in the issue of Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant, similar to cereal agreement, the Turkish president's office said today after the phone talk between the president.

The Kremlin then issued a statement saying that Erdogan judged that Russia played a construction role during the visit of the International Atomic Energy Organization Delegation (IAEA) to Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant on September 1.

The leaders of the two countries also agreed to expand bilateral trade and economic relations, including promoting a number of strategic energy cooperation projects.

Russian soldiers patrol outside the Zaporizhzhia factory on August 4.

President Erdogan and Putin-level counterparts agreed to continue exchanging more about the issues of the two countries concerned on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Summit (SCO) on September 15-16.

Ankara is maintaining cooperation with both Moscow and Kiev.

The agreement to ensure safe transportation of cereals through the Black Sea signed by Moscow and Kiev in July relieved more than 20 million tons of cereals in Ukraine.

Russian President Vladimir Putin (right) shook hands with Turkey's counterpart Tayyip Erdogan in Sochi City, Russia, on August 5.

President Erdogan last month warned of the risk of nuclear disaster due to escalating tensions at Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant.

The Russian force controlled the Zaporizhzhia factory in southern Ukraine in March, but the facility was still operated by Ukrainian technical staff.

Many recent shelling occurred around the Zaporizhzhia factory area, raising concerns about the risk of a nuclear incident similar to the chernobyl disaster in 1986. Russia and Ukraine accused each other.

The IAEA inspicants were led by General Director of Rafael Grossi on the factory on September 1.

No warning was released when firepower poured down on the Zaporizhzhia factory, the largest nuclear electrical facility in Europe, causing workers to flee.

Turkey is a NATO member, but strengthens trade relations with Russia to serve the national interests, despite the pressure from the West.