Turkey and UN prepare new talks on a Black Sea truce

Turkey and the United Nations are organizing a new round of talks with Ukraine and Russia on a possible Black Sea ceasefire and the protection of grain shipments. According to Bloomberg, the meetings are expected to take place in early October, with representatives of the Swiss-based Centre for Humanitarian Dialogue acting as mediators.

The initiative is aimed at bringing together diplomatic efforts around safe commercial navigation and the protection of port and energy infrastructure. It partly draws on the experience of the 2022 Black Sea Grain Initiative, which enabled exports of grain, food and fertilizer from Ukrainian ports.

The new round of talks is gaining momentum amid intensified attacks on Black Sea port infrastructure. Ukraine and Russia together account for more than a quarter of global wheat shipments, meaning disruptions in the region are increasing risks to global food security. Weaker crops in other regions and high agricultural commodity prices are adding further pressure.

A closed-door meeting was already held in late September on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly, with representatives from Turkey, the US, Europe, India and Egypt taking part. Participants discussed a narrowly defined reciprocal arrangement that would provide for free commercial navigation and the protection of ports and energy facilities.

The upcoming talks are expected to give particular attention to countries most affected by rising food prices. Turkish officials had earlier said Ukraine responded positively to the idea of restoring a safe grain corridor in the Black Sea. At the same time, the Ukrainian side has said it sees no signs that an agreement could be reached in the coming months.

Russia’s position remains the main obstacle. Vladimir Putin has rejected proposals for a reciprocal halt to strikes in the Black Sea, while Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said in September that returning to the 2022 agreement format was “unrealistic.” As a result, prospects for a rapid restoration of safe grain shipping remain uncertain.

Tags: Russia, export, grain, Black Sea region, agricultural products, war, Black Sea grain corridor