Erdogan’s meeting with Putin on grain deal: new deadline set

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan plans to personally discuss the resumption of the Black Sea Grain Initiative with Russian President Vladimir Putin in September, if the opportunity arises.

The Turkish leader told reporters on his way to Budapest, Anadolu Agency reports.

“The G-20 meeting will be held in India in September. A meeting of the UN General Assembly is scheduled in the United States. We will discuss (“the grain deal” – Ed.) with Mr. Putin if there is such an opportunity due to the tight schedule,” Erdogan said.

The Turkish leader touched upon the topic of the first ship to leave the Ukrainian port after the termination of the grain deal and cross the Istanbul Strait.

“This ship, which left Ukraine, Odesa, is not a grain carrier, it is a container. Our Ministry of National Defense made a statement to this effect. Our main goal here is to achieve a positive position of Russia on the grain corridor through telephone conversations with Mr. Putin,” the President clarified.

The Head of State also announced the visit of Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan to Russia in the near future. “It is important to discuss this issue face to face. It will be possible to get a much more accurate result,” Erdogan emphasized.

The President noted that Ankara is making efforts to achieve peace talks between Russia and Ukraine.

“We are striving for this, it is our desire. We discussed these issues in detail during Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s visit to Turkey, during negotiations with him, as well as meetings on the sidelines of the NATO leaders’ summit. I hope that we will achieve a result if both leaders approve our mediation,” the Turkish leader added, commenting on Turkey’s possible mediation role in peace talks between the parties.

Tags: Turkey, Black Sea grain deal, Russia