Türkiye discusses possibility of resuming grain deal with Ukrainian defence minister
Türkiye’s Ministry of Defence has announced that Ukrainian Defence Minister Rustem Umerov paid a visit to Ankara on 14 May.
Details: Cumhuriyet, European Pravda reports
Details: Zeki Aktürk, Press and Public Affairs Adviser to the Turkish Ministry of Defence, answered questions about what was discussed during the visit of Ukrainian Defence Minister Umierov to Ankara.
"We expressed our support for Ukraine's independence and territorial integrity, our belief in the need to prevent tensions in the Black Sea, our commitment to the uncompromising implementation of the Montreux Convention and our readiness to make efforts to restore the Black Sea Grain Deal," he said.
He said that the meeting was held "in a very warm and constructive atmosphere and manner to further strengthen our relations".
Background:
- In April, the media reported that Ukraine and Russia, together with Türkiye, had been negotiating for two months on an agreement on the safety of navigation in the Black Sea, which was to be announced in late March.
- Following the full-scale invasion of Ukraine's Black Sea ports by Russia in July 2022, Türkiye and the UN helped to establish the Black Sea Grain Initiative.
- As part of the agreement, Ukraine was able to safely export almost 33 million metric tonnes of Ukrainian grain via the Black Sea through the so-called Grain Corridor. However, in July 2023, Russia withdrew from the agreement, claiming that its requirements had not been met.
- It should be noted that the Turkish side then advocated for the resumption of the grain corridor with Russia's participation, while Ukraine was able to establish its own route across the Danube River.
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