Erdogan continues to insist on the resumption of the grain deal and Russia’s participation in it

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has called for Russia not to be “marginalised” in negotiations on the resumption of Ukrainian grain exports through the Black Sea.

“No process that marginalises Russia on the Black Sea Grain Initiative will be viable,” Erdoğan told journalists after the G20 summit in New Delhi, as AFP reports.

He announced an upcoming meeting on the issue between representatives of Russia, Ukraine and the United Nations, without specifying the exact date and venue.

The Black Sea Grain Initiative, brokered by the UN and Türkiye, collapsed after Russia unilaterally withdrew from it in July. Since then, Moscow has repeatedly attacked Ukraine’s port infrastructure.

Russian President Vladimir Putin met with Erdoğan in Sochi in Russia last week. The Turkish president hoped to renew the deal but failed.

Media report that Erdogan called on G20 leaders to meet some of Russia’s demands to restore the Black Sea Grain Initiative at the G20 summit this weekend.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine said that easing part of the sanctions regime against Russia in exchange for the resumption of the grain deal would be a victory for Russian food blackmail.

Tags: Turkey, Black Sea grain deal