The Kremlin reported that Russian President Vladimir Putin and Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi spoke on the phone on Wednesday to discuss transportation and energy initiatives.

After Russia launched tens of thousands of troops into Ukraine in February of last year, which resulted in broad Western sanctions, Moscow and Tehran sought to build tighter ties. The two biggest oil exporters in the world are Iran and Russia, both of which are subject to Western sanctions.

“The presidents spoke in favour of the consistent implementation of mutually beneficial projects in the energy, transport and logistics sectors,” the Kremlin said in a readout of the call.

It added that the two countries hoped for a “normalisation” of the situation in Syria, and to “restore” the country’s territorial integrity.