Türkiye hopeful on renewing of UN-led grain deal with Ukraine, Russia

By Merve Aydogan

ANKARA (AA) - The Turkish foreign minister on Tuesday expressed hope over the renewing of the UN-led grain deal.

Speaking to a group of reporters, Mevlut Cavusoglu announced that Türkiye's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan will discuss the grain deal with his Russian and Ukrainian counterparts in the coming days over the phone.

"Our President is personally dealing with this matter. We believe that it (deal) will be settled down," the Turkish minister added.

Noting that roadblocks in front of the deal should be removed for grain shipments to continue, Cavusoglu further affirmed Ankara's efforts in this direction.

On Saturday, Russia announced that it had suspended its participation in the deal to export Ukrainian grain following attacks on its Black Sea Fleet.

On Monday, the Istanbul-based Joint Coordination Center, which oversees shipments under the deal, said the three delegations representing the maritime elements of Russia, Türkiye, and Ukraine also agreed on inspections to be conducted on 40 outbound vessels. The Russian side was informed of the development, it also said.

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.