Russia's demands must be met for grain to reach those in need, says Türkiye

By Dilara Hamit and Burak Bir

ANKARA (AA) - On an agreement secured on Thursday to extend to the landmark Black Sea grain deal, Türkiye underlined that Russia's demands had to be met in order to ensure that those in need have access to food exported under the accord.

"Türkiye is not defending Russia, but it is aware that this is an agreement in which Russia's demands must be met in order for grain to reach those in need," Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said in a press conference with his Mexican counterpart Marcelo Ebrard Casaubon.

At the event in the capital Ankara, Cavusoglu expressed hope for a cease-fire towards ending the Russia-Ukraine war through diplomacy and there being no need to further extend the deal.

He also emphasized that the EU had no right to intervene in matters of the Organization of Turkic States, dismissing a statement from the bloc on the observor status of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus.

Cavusoglu also offered his sympathies to Poland on a deadly missile incident on Tuesday, adding that while an accident, it was the result of the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war.