Erdogan: Ukraine and Russia are facing a Black Sea grain deal

Created: 07/07/2022, 16:27

By: Constantin Hoppe

The country's grain exports collapsed with the war in Ukraine.

The reopening of sea routes across the Black Sea is now within reach.

Rome – Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan sees the negotiations between Russia and Ukraine on the home straight: In his view, the two conflicting parties are close to an agreement at the negotiating table on the reopening of important sea routes for grain deliveries.

The Turkish head of state said this at a joint press conference with Italian Prime Minister Mario Draghi in Rome.

Ukraine is the fourth largest grain exporter in the world.

In 2021, the country produced 107 million tons of grain and oilseeds, 70 million tons of which were exported.

However, as a result of the Ukraine war, all Black Sea ports are currently blocked - three of them are under Russian control, others were mined by the Ukrainian Navy.

The blockade of Black Sea ports since the Russian invasion has prevented grain from being shipped to Egypt, Yemen and other countries in need.

In the course of the war, Ukrainian grain silos were also attacked by Russia, and supplies are said to have been confiscated.

Turkey is trying to mediate an agreement between them on the issue of delivery routes.

The government in Kyiv wants Turkey to provide security guarantees for ships transporting grain across the Black Sea.

So far, the negotiations have been characterized by mutual accusations.

The Russian cargo ship Zhibek Zholy has been detained on the Bosphorus coast of the Black Sea since early July.

It is said to have loaded grain stolen from Ukraine.

© Ozan Kose/AFP

Grain from Ukraine could avert famine

"Negotiations will continue so that this grain and sunflower oil can go around the world," Erdoğan said at a press conference in Ankara. "In a week or ten days we will intensify talks and try to come to a conclusion." The Turkish leader said safe passage for merchant shipping is important, especially to deal with the existing grain shortages in Africa.

Because there are no imports from Russia and Ukraine, Africa is experiencing rising prices.

Famine is imminent.

Draghi said Turkey plays a central role in the plan unveiled by UN Secretary-General António Guterres at the G7 meeting of world leaders in late June to tackle global food shortages.

The G7 states want to provide 4.5 billion euros to keep the food markets open and to support Ukraine's exports.

"This role is to ensure the safety of the ships and to ensure that the ships are not carrying weapons," Draghi said.

Ukraine War: Deal Could Be First Step Towards Peace

The Italian prime minister described the plan as "very encouraging" as it does not require demining in Ukrainian ports, possible routes have already been identified and the working group has been set up.

The missing element is "the Kremlin's final approval," he said.

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Should the agreement on grain deliveries come about, it would also have "a very high strategic value," Draghi said at the conference.

The deal could pave the way for peace between Russia and Ukraine, Draghi added.

(Constantin Hoppe)