Erdogan vows Zelenskyy to intensify Türkiye’s efforts to revive grain deal

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, where they reached key agreements on a ceasefire and the extension of the crucial Ukraine grain deal.

During the meeting, Erdogan reiterated Türkiye’s long-standing belief that the Ukrainian-Russian conflict could be resolved through dialogue, emphasizing the importance of protecting Ukraine’s territorial integrity and sovereignty, Caliber.Az reports, citing foreign media.

Türkiye has maintained an active role in mediating peace efforts, and Erdogan assured Zelenskyy that his country remains committed to supporting diplomatic solutions.

The leaders also focused on efforts to resume the Black Sea Grain Initiative, which enabled Ukrainian agricultural exports to global markets despite the ongoing war. Erdogan pledged to intensify Türkiye’s efforts to revive the grain deal, which Russia had previously withdrawn from, causing concerns over global food supplies, particularly in regions dependent on Ukrainian grain.

The Black Sea Grain Initiative, originally brokered by Türkiye and the United Nations in July 2022, was a critical agreement aimed at ensuring the safe export of grain from Ukraine amid the conflict with Russia. The deal helped avert a global food crisis by facilitating the shipment of millions of tons of grain from Ukrainian ports, primarily to developing countries in Africa and the Middle East.

However, in July 2023, Russia withdrew from the agreement, citing unmet demands related to its own agricultural exports. Since then, efforts to renew the deal have been a diplomatic priority for both Türkiye and the UN. Türkiye's mediation has been key due to its strategic position and diplomatic ties with both Russia and Ukraine, allowing it to act as a neutral facilitator in the negotiation process.