The Turkish President, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, has called on the West to fulfill Russia’s expectations from the Black Sea grain deal in order to continue the “vital initiative”. The agreement, which expired on Monday, was not extended by Moscow due to the failure of the US and EU to uphold their part of the deal by allowing exports of Russian food products and fertilizer.
The Black Sea grain deal was signed in July 2022 with the mediation of the UN and Turkey. It created a corridor for the safe passage of vessels carrying Ukrainian grain through the Black Sea. However, Russia has expressed its desire for certain expectations to be met in order to actively operate this grain corridor.
President Erdogan emphasized the importance of Western countries taking action to meet Russian President Vladimir Putin’s expectations. He stated that it was crucial for the West to fulfill these expectations so that the grain corridor can continue to operate successfully.
President Erdogan warned that the termination of the Black Sea grain deal would have serious consequences, including an increase in global food prices, scarcity in certain regions, and potentially leading to new waves of migration. He expressed his confidence in being able to ensure the continuation of this humanitarian effort through thorough discussions with President Putin.
Erdogan described the grain deal as a consensus that serves humanity in a war environment and expressed his eagerness to use all instruments of diplomacy to ensure that it continues. He mentioned that he is expecting to have a phone conversation with President Putin soon to discuss various issues, including the future of the grain deal. Additionally, Erdogan reiterated his claim that President Putin would visit Turkey in August, although the Kremlin has yet to confirm any such plans.
In response, President Putin stated that Moscow could consider resuming the Black Sea grain deal, but only if all the agreed terms of Russian participation are implemented without exception. This indicates that Russia is willing to continue the agreement if its demands are met.
Overall, the Turkish President’s call for the West to fulfill Russia’s expectations from the Black Sea grain deal highlights the importance of cooperation and fulfilling commitments in international agreements. The successful continuation of this agreement is not only crucial for the parties involved but also has significant implications for global food prices, regional scarcity, and potential migration patterns. Thorough discussions between leaders can help find common ground and ensure the continuation of this vital initiative for the benefit of all parties involved.
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