NewsWorldErdogan 'appraised' Putin's decision to extend the grain deal

Erdogan ‘appraised’ Putin’s decision to extend the grain deal

Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Turkish President. Photo: AFP.

The President of Turkey, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, “positively assessed” the decision of his counterpart, Vladimir Putinto extend the Ukrainian grain export agreement for only 60 days, according to the version given by the Kremlin of the telephone conversation between the two presidents.

“The Turkish leader welcomed Russia’s agreement to extend the Istanbul agreements for 60 days on the export of Ukrainian grain from the Black Sea ports and on the unblocking of the export of Russian food and fertilizers,” Moscow said in its statement on the dialogue.

Ukraine and Russia together produce a third of the world’s wheat and their exports are also key in products such as corn and sunflower oil

“At the same time, Russia’s willingness to fully implement the second part of these agreements was expressed” linked to “removing barriers to agricultural products from Russia,” the note added.

Ukraine and Russia together produce a third of the world’s wheat and their exports are also key in products such as corn and sunflower oil, so the blockade on exports due to the war affected food security, especially in developing countries. .

Erdogan with Putin AFP file photo
Erdogan with Putin. Photo: AFP file.

In July 2022, the agreement between the UN, Ukraine, Russia and Turkey was signed that enabled the marketing of those cereals through the Black Sea, and that since then allowed the sale of more than 24 million tons of food.

In parallel, a pact was signed so that Russian fertilizers are not blocked by the sanctions imposed by Western countries since the start of the war on February 24, 2022.

On March 18, these pacts were extended again, although the parties involved gave conflicting versions about the duration of the new extension: the Kremlin assured that it was renewed for 60 days, while Kiev affirmed that it was agreed to do so for twice as many days. .

In parallel, an agreement was signed so that Russian fertilizers are not blocked by the sanctions imposed by Western countries since the start of the war on February 24, 2022.

For his part, The Turkish president’s office reported that during the conversation between Erdogan and Putin “measures to improve relations between Turkey and Russia were discussed, as well as events related to the Russo-Ukrainian war.”

In that sense, the Turkish leader “reiterated the importance of ending the conflict between Russia and Ukraine as soon as possible through negotiations,” the Sputnik news agency reported.

In addition, he reiterated that Erdogan thanked Putin for his “positive attitude towards the extension of the Black Sea Initiative.”

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