Russian media shines spotlight on Turkish president saying Ukrainian grain not going to countries in need

By Elena Teslova

MOSCOW (AA) - Russian news outlets on Friday widely covered recent remarks by Türkiye's president, who said Ukrainian grain was being exported to wealthy countries, not to those in need.

Kommersant, one of Russia's most-read newspapers, published two reports after the speech that Recep Tayyip Erdogan made on the return trip from a three-day Balkans tour, echoing the view of his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin.

"Erdogan agrees with Putin that Ukrainian grain, contrary to agreements, does not reach poor countries," said one of the reports, along with a full transcription of President Erdogan's comments.

The other, under the headline, "Response to present challenges," analyzed the current grain deal's current status, Russia and Türkiye's concerns, the routes of the vessels carrying the exported grain, and problems with deliveries of Russian food products and fertilizers. It also widely quoted Erdogan.

Türkiye, the UN, Russia, and Ukraine signed an agreement on July 22 in Istanbul to resume grain exports from three Ukrainian Black Sea ports, which were paused after the Russia-Ukraine war began in February. A Joint Coordination Center with officials from the three countries and the UN has been set up in Istanbul to oversee the shipments.

Another popular daily, Izvestiya, covered the story with the headline "Erdogan agrees with Putin on absence of Ukrainian grain supplies to poor countries."

Also publishing an article, Russia's state-run news agency TASS highlighted that "Erdogan agrees with Putin" on the "problem" of Ukrainian grain being delivered to developed countries, quoting the Turkish leader's statement that he believes Russian grain should also reach the global market.

Another news agency, RBC, similarly published the headline: "Erdogan agrees with Putin that grain goes to rich countries."

Outlets also carried to their front pages information on a possible Erdogan-Putin meeting on the grain issue.

On Sept. 7, speaking at the Eastern Economic Forum in Vladivostok, Putin said Ukraine's grain exports were mostly going to EU member nations, instead of the countries that most need them.

He added that he would like to discuss the issue with his Turkish counterpart Erdogan.

Both leaders are expected to attend the upcoming summit of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization set to take place on Sept. 15-16 in the city of Samarkand, Uzbekistan.