Turkey’s president meets Russia’s Putin and aims to revive the wartime Ukraine grain export deal

Turkey’s President, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, met with Russia’s President, Vladimir Putin, with the primary objective of rekindling an agreement that had permitted Ukraine to export grain and other essential commodities from three Black Sea ports, despite the ongoing conflict with Russia. This agreement, established through the collaborative efforts of Turkey and the United Nations a year prior, held immense significance for global food supplies, particularly in regions like Africa, the Middle East, and Asia. The importance of this deal stemmed from the fact that both Ukraine and Russia are major suppliers of vital goods such as wheat, barley, and sunflower oil, which are relied upon by developing nations.

Unfortunately, in July, Putin chose not to extend this crucial agreement, citing reasons related to a parallel deal that had promised to eliminate obstacles to Russian food and fertilizer exports, but allegedly hadn’t been upheld. Russia claimed that shipping and insurance restrictions had hindered its agricultural trade, even though it had managed to ship record amounts of wheat in the previous year.

During their discussions in Russia’s Black Sea resort of Sochi, Erdogan emphasized that the grain deal took center stage. He underlined the widespread attention that the grain corridor issue had garnered. Putin acknowledged that the discussions would also touch upon matters connected to the Ukraine crisis, and he expressed openness to negotiations regarding the grain deal.

The global food supply hinges on the outcome of these negotiations, as Erdogan stressed. He believed that the message to be conveyed after their meeting could be a pivotal step, particularly for underdeveloped African countries. Since Putin’s withdrawal from the grain initiative, Erdogan has consistently pledged to renew arrangements that have played a vital role in averting food crises in various parts of Africa, the Middle East, and Asia.

The backdrop against which this meeting unfolded was Ukraine’s recent counteroffensive against the Russian invasion forces. Adding to the dynamics, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced plans to replace Defense Minister Oleksii Reznikov, indicating a need for “new approaches.”

Anticipating the talks, experts predicted rigorous negotiations in Sochi. The intricate balance of leveraging food as an economic tool could prompt Putin to seek substantial concessions, as noted by Tim Benton, a food security expert.

The data provided by the Joint Coordination Center in Istanbul demonstrated that a significant portion of the grain from Ukraine was destined for developing nations, with China being the primary recipient. Turkey’s role in these discussions has been influenced by its close ties to Putin, its non-participation in Western sanctions against Russia, and its position as a major trading partner and logistical hub for Russia’s global trade.

While Turkey maintains these ties with Russia, it has also supported Ukraine by providing arms, engaging with President Zelenskyy, and endorsing Kyiv’s bid to join NATO. Erdogan’s decision to allow Ukrainian commanders to return home further complicated matters between Turkey and Russia.

Erdogan and Putin, both long-standing authoritarian leaders, have established a rapport that grew after Putin’s support following a failed coup against Erdogan in 2016. The Sochi summit was preceded by discussions between the Russian and Turkish foreign ministers, during which Russia outlined conditions for the resumption of Ukraine’s Black Sea exports.

Erdogan’s alignment with Putin’s stance is apparent, as he stressed the need for Western countries to take action regarding the Black Sea deal. U.N. Secretary-General António Guterres also offered proposals aimed at facilitating Russian exports and resuming the Black Sea initiative. However, Moscow expressed dissatisfaction with these proposals.

In summary, the meeting between Erdogan and Putin sought to revive a crucial agreement allowing Ukraine to export grain despite the ongoing conflict with Russia. The negotiations held immense significance for global food supplies and involved complex considerations around economic leverage, international relationships, and regional stability.

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• Turkey’s President Meets Russia’s Putin to Discuss Reviving Ukraine Grain Deal
• Understanding the Significance of the Ukraine-Russia Grain Export Agreement
• Impact of Russia’s Decision to Refuse Extension of Grain Export Deal
• Erdogan-Putin Meeting: Exploring Geopolitical Implications
• Turkey’s Role in the Ukraine-Russia Conflict
• Global Food Supply Concerns and the Outcome of the Negotiations
• Challenges and Leverage in Negotiations Over Grain Export Agreement
• Erdogan’s Alignment with Putin’s Stance and Its Implications
• Parallel Deal and Its Influence on Russia’s Decision-Making
• Key Developments in the Ukraine-Russia Conflict