Turkish officials say President Recep Tayyip Erdogan held a telephone conversation with his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin in which the two leaders discussed ways to "intensify" efforts to end clashes in Syria and deliver humanitarian aid, the Associated Press reports.

Officials in Erdogan's office said the two leaders on Wednesday, October 5 also discussed joint energy projects, including the construction of Turkey's first nuclear power plant.

he officials spoke on condition of anonymity in line with government regulations.

Putin is scheduled to arrive in Turkey next week to attend an energy meeting.

Earlier, Syria's military command says it will scale back its bombardment of Aleppo to allow civilians to evacuate the contested city's eastern, rebel-held neighborhoods.