Turkish, Russian leaders discuss Kakhovka dam explosion, Grain Deal

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in a conversation with his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin discussed the topic of the war in Ukraine.

Erdogan stressed the importance of an impartial investigation into the explosion at the Kakhovka hydroelectric dam, Anadolu reports, citing the Turkish Presidential Administration's Communications Department of reported.

According to the head of the Turkish state, Ankara is ready to contribute to the formation of a commission, which may include experts from Russia and Ukraine, as well as the international community, including the UN and Türkiye.

Erdoğan also said that the international community attaches particular importance to the extension of the Grain Agreement.

He stressed that the agreement, reached through joint efforts, plays a vital role in eliminating the global food crisis.

Erdogan said further coordination with the United Nations on the issue of removing barriers to the exports of grain and fertilizers from Russia would be useful.

The politician stressed that Ankara is ready to continue its efforts to ensure a just peace in the region.

Türkiye is sincere in its support for the cessation of hostilities, the Turkish leader said.

A major dam in southern Ukraine collapsed on June 6, flooding villages, endangering crops and threatening drinking water supplies as both sides in the war scrambled to evacuate residents and blamed each other for the destruction.

Ukraine accused Russian forces of blowing up the Kakhovka dam and hydroelectric power station, which sits on the Dnieper River in an area Moscow has controlled for more than a year. Russian officials blamed Ukrainian bombardment in the contested area, where the river separates the two sides.