Skip to main content

Turkey's Erdogan makes no headway in getting Russia back to Ukraine grain deal 

Turkey’s Erdogan says he will continue diplomacy to bring Putin back to the grain deal and announces Putin will come to Turkey, but gives no timeframe.

The TQ Samsun bulk carrier transits the Bosporus during the early morning hours on July 18, 2023, in Istanbul, Turkey.
The TQ Samsun bulk carrier transits the Bosporus during the early morning hours on July 18, 2023, in Istanbul, Turkey. The TQ Samsun is the last grain ship, carrying corn and rapeseed, to leave Ukraine under the Black Sea Grain Initiative. Russia notified the United Nations that it would not extend the Turkey-UN-brokered deal that was signed on July 22, 2022, giving safe passage to vessels carrying grain and foodstuffs from Ukrainian ports. — Chris McGrath/Getty Images

The Kremlin showed no signs of returning to a critical Black Sea grain deal that allows Ukrainian grain to be exported to world markets, following a phone call Wednesday between Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Russia’s Vladimir Putin.

Erdogan pledged, nonetheless, to continue “intense diplomatic efforts” to salvage the deal abandoned by Russia two weeks ago.

"President Erdogan expressed the importance of refraining from steps that could escalate tensions during the Russia-Ukraine war, emphasizing the significance of the Black Sea Grain Initiative, which he described as a bridge of peace," a brief statement from Turkey’s Communication Directorate said after the two leaders’ phone conversation.

Subscribe for unlimited access

All news, events, memos, reports, and analysis, and access all 10 of our newsletters. Learn more

$14 monthly or $100 annually ($8.33/month)
OR

Continue reading this article for free

Access 1 free article per month when you sign up. Learn more.

By signing up, you agree to Al-Monitor’s Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy. Already have an account? Log in

Related Topics