Putin-Erdogan meeting in Tehran, with Ukrainian grain ‘on the table’

The presidents of Russia and Turkey will discuss mechanisms in Tehran today to allow grain exports from Ukraine, which have been blocked in that country due to the Russian military offensive and risk triggering a global food crisis.

Negotiations involving Moscow, Kyiv, Ankara and the UN are expected to take place in the coming days in Turkey, following progress in the July 13 talks.

“Firstly, we are ready to continue the work in this direction, secondly, this issue will be discussed by presidents” Vladimir Putin and Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Kremlin diplomatic adviser Yuri Ushakov said on Monday, according to Russian news agencies. , ahead of the meeting between the two leaders in Iran.

The Russian Defense Ministry had announced on Friday that a “final document” would be ready soon to allow the export of grain from Ukraine.

According to Ushakov, a coordination center is also expected to be opened in Istanbul to allow these exports through the Black Sea.

The UN-brokered deal aims to get through the Black Sea about 20 million tons of grain that has been blocked in Ukrainian silos because of Russia’s offensive in Ukraine.

It is also expected to ease Russian grain and fertilizer exports, which have been affected by Western sanctions that have hit Russian supply and financial chains.

Russian and Ukrainian agricultural products are necessary to prevent the proliferation of food crises in the world.

Turkish Defense Minister Hulusi Akar confirmed on Monday that “an agreement in principle has been reached” with Ukraine and Russia to create a safe sea corridor to allow the grain to be transported.

According to an official source who asked not to be named, a new meeting could take place “Wednesday or Thursday”, after a summit on Tuesday in Iran of the presidents of Russia, Iran and Turkey.

Yesterday, Monday, the head of European diplomacy, Josep Borrell, assessed that the resumption of grain exports from Ukraine is “a matter of life and death” and expressed “the hope” that an agreement will be reached this week.

Source: AMPE

Source: Capital

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