Russian President Vladimir Putin pointed out the strong reactions among Orthodox Christians in his country after the decision by Turkey to convert the Hagia Sophia into a Mosque during a phone contact with his Turkish counterpart Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

According to Sputnik, during the phone contact the Russian President made special reference to the issue of Hagia Sophia, conveying to Erdogan the public outcry in Russia over Ankara’s decision.

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According to the Kremlin: “Vladimir Putin drew Tayyip Erdogan’s attention on the importance of public outcry in Russia over the decision to change the status of Hagia Sophia.”

Erdogan, the Kremlin adds, has pledged that those wishing to attend the mosque will be accepted, while Christian relics will be preserved.