Turkish, Russian defense chiefs discuss grain deal, Syria

By Diyar Guldogan

ANKARA (AA) - Turkish National Defense Minister Hulusi Akar and his Russian counterpart Sergey Shoigu on Wednesday spoke over the phone and discussed the Black Sea grain deal and Syria.

Akar emphasized that Türkiye is pleased with the cooperation in the extension of the grain initiative, which has contributed greatly to the solution of the global food crisis, according to a Turkish National Defense Ministry statement.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan announced the deal's extension on Saturday, one day before it was slated to lapse.

Last July, Türkiye, the UN, Russia, and Ukraine signed a deal in Istanbul to resume grain exports from three Ukrainian Black Sea ports which were paused after the Russia-Ukraine war began in February 2022.

Akar told Shoigu that Türkiye will continue to do its part in ensuring regional peace and humanitarian aid.

With respect to Syria, Akar said Türkiye's only aim is to fight terrorism in order to ensure the security of the country's borders and citizens and to prevent further human tragedy.

He said that the talks, which started under the leadership of Erdogan and his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin, will make "serious" contributions to peace and stability in the region and Syria, according to the statement.

Akar also thanked Russia for the solidarity shown after the Feb. 6 earthquakes that hit southern Türkiye and claimed the lives of more than 50,000 people.