Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Saturday showed understanding for his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin’s decision to extend the grain export deal with Ukraine for just 60 days, according to information from the Kremlin.
“The Turkish leader welcomed Russia’s approval of a 60-day extension to the Istanbul accords on moving Ukrainian grain out of Black Sea ports and unblocking Russian fertilizer and food exports.”refers to a statement by Putin, after a telephone conversation with Erdogan.
The two leaders also discussed bilateral economic cooperation, strategic projects such as Russia’s construction of the Akkuyu nuclear power plant, and the need to normalize relations between Turkey and Syria through Russian mediation.
Erdogan also thanked Putin for Moscow’s help after the earthquake that hit the country in early February and caused more than 50,000 deaths, with the presidents agreeing on the possibility of Russia supplying construction materials to Turkey to rebuild damaged infrastructure and housing. .
Erdogan announced a week ago the extension of the grain export agreement, which was due to expire on the 18th, without specifying a new deadline.
Ukraine claimed the deal had been extended for 120 days, but Moscow insisted on the 60 days, in a sort of trial period to see if restrictions on Russian exports would be lifted.
This week, Putin said Russia would send free food to needy African countries if it had to suspend the grain deal within two months, making continuation of the deal conditional on Russia fulfilling commitments.
“I insist that only if our position is taken into account can the fair and comprehensive implementation of the grain agreement be ensured, and on that basis we will decide whether to continue to participate,” Putin stressed.
Moscow is demanding, among other things, the connection of the Russian bank Rosselkhozbank to the Swift system for the exchange of financial information and the restoration of the supply of agricultural machinery and spare parts.
The Russian side also points out that the pact includes lifting insurance restrictions, opening access to ports for Russian ships, repairing the Togliatti-Odesa ammonia pipeline and unlocking the assets of Russian agricultural and fertilizer companies.
Source: DN
