Ankara is holding consultations with both warring parties on grain logistics
Turkish authorities have developed a special initiative for the safe transportation of agricultural products across the Black Sea. Minister of Foreign Affairs Hakan Fidan announced that relevant negotiations are underway with Ukraine and Russia. This was reported by UkrRudProm citing Hakan Fidan, according to the portal PromPolitInform.
Government structures of the republic have drafted a set of solutions designed to guarantee the protection of vessels carrying food supplies. The country’s diplomatic agency is currently engaged in substantive dialogue with representatives of both states regarding the practical implementation of this initiative.
Negotiations and Agreement Terms
According to the head of the foreign policy department, the emergence of favorable conditions will allow work to begin on concluding a new agreement. Official Ankara views this document as a potential counterpart to previous arrangements reached through international mediation.
The Turkish government has previously repeatedly expressed readiness to facilitate the restoration of former maritime export formats. The initial agreement was signed with the participation of the UN in the summer of 2022 to overcome crisis phenomena in the global food market.
Background of Maritime Exports
The original agreement gave Ukrainian farmers the opportunity to resume supplies following the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion and the blockade of port infrastructure by the Russian military fleet. The effect of the previous arrangements terminated in 2023 due to the Russian side’s refusal to extend them.
Subsequently, the Ukrainian state independently restored stable exports of grain crops using its own capabilities. This was achieved after driving hostile warships away from the coastal waters of the Black Sea by the defense forces.
Illustrative photo: Економічна правда
Read also: Diplomatic deadlock in the Black Sea: why Moscow rejects the maritime initiatives of Kyiv and Ankara
