Grain deal only hope is Erdogan, Putin talks amid no optimism
2 Min Read
The future of the grain deal hangs in the balance as talks regarding its extension offer little optimism.
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Russian President Vladimir Putin and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, in Istanbul, on January 8, 2020 (AFP)
The future of the grain deal remains uncertain, raising concerns among stakeholders.
A source familiar with the matter informed Sputnik that the current situation offers little optimism for a prospective extension of the grain deal beyond its scheduled deadline of July 17.
However, the anticipated discussions between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan are viewed as the sole glimmer of hope.
Following talks with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy last Friday, President Erdogan said he intends to discuss the grain deal with President Putin, either through a phone conversation or an in-person meeting. He also noted that he is expecting a visit from President Putin in the upcoming month, highlighting the urgency of the matter.
However, when contacted by Sputnik on Saturday, Kremlin Spokesperson Dmitry Peskov stated that a phone conversation between Putin and Erdogan had not yet been scheduled. This further adds to the uncertainty surrounding the future of the Black Sea Grain Initiative.
Read more: Zelensky hopes deals will be sealed ahead of meeting with Erdogan
On May 17, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan announced that the deal has been extended for an additional two months.
Russia agreed to prolong the Black Sea grain agreement in the hopes that all implementation-related concerns would be resolved.
Read more: Zelensky in Prague in a quest for NATO bid, more weapons
Russia, Ukraine, and Turkey signed an UN-brokered agreement on July 22, 2022, to establish a humanitarian maritime corridor for ships transporting food and fertilizers from Ukrainian Black Sea ports.
The grain export deal has helped ease the global food crisis triggered by the war in Ukraine and the Western sanctions against Russia.
According to the United Nations, more than 24.1 million tonnes of grain have been exported under the agreement until March. But the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) revealed in October 2022 that only a quarter of the grain exported under the BSGI is going to low-income countries.
