Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Russian President Vladimir Putin spoke on the phone and agreed that Putin would visit Turkey, Erdogan’s office said. The exact date of the visit was not mentioned in the office's statement.

The statement added that  Erdogan assured Putin that Turkey would continue its vigorous efforts to resume the Black Sea Grain Initiative.

Concurrently, the Kremlin affirmed that Putin has informed Erdogan, during a phone conversation on Wednesday, that the Black Sea Grain Initiative had lost its significance due to the lack of progress in implementing the part of the agreement concerning Russia.

Putin outlined Russia's principled stance on the termination of the "package" agreements related to the export of Ukrainian grain from Black Sea ports and the unblocking of supplies of Russian food and fertilizers, as per the Kremlin.

"Vladimir Putin outlined Russia's principled position in connection with the termination of the ‘package’ agreements on the export of Ukrainian grain from the Black Sea ports and the unblocking of supplies of Russian food and fertilizers. It was noted that the agreement's extension has lost its meaning in the conditions of a complete lack of progress in the implementation of the Russian part of the grain deal. The readiness to return to the Istanbul agreements was confirmed as soon as the West actually fulfills all the deal's obligations towards Russia," the Kremlin said in a statement. 

He also expressed that the extension of the agreement had become meaningless because of the lack of progress on Russia's part in the grain deal. However, Putin affirmed that Russia is prepared to return to the Istanbul agreements as soon as the West fulfills all its obligations towards Russia.

The Kremlin also mentioned that options for supplying grain to countries in need are under consideration. Putin emphasized that they are working on reliable options for the supply of Russian grain, possibly even on a free-of-charge basis, to countries with urgent food requirements. This topic was extensively discussed during the second Russia-Africa summit held in St. Petersburg. The Kremlin expressed readiness to collaborate in this area with Turkey and other interested nations.

Related News

Putin first to speak as Trump says ‘no deal yet’ in Alaska summit

Zelensky proposes new peace talks with Russia next week

"It was emphasized that, taking into account the needs of the countries most in need of food, reliable options for the supply of Russian grain, including on a free-of-charge basis, are being worked out. This issue was substantively discussed at the second Russia-Africa summit recently held in St. Petersburg. The readiness for cooperation in this area with Turkey and other interested states was expressed," the Kremlin said.

The grain deal: Benefit for the rich, impact on the poor

The grain deal facilitated the export of around 33 million tonnes of grain from Ukrainian ports to global markets.

According to an investigation by the Austrian website eXXpress, nearly half of the wheat and grain sent from Ukraine to the EU ended up feeding the pigs in Spain that produced the renowned and pricey jamon.

However, international watchdogs have repeatedly warned that the lion's share of the food produced was delivered to the West, leaving poor countries combined receiving less than one-third of exports. The UN itself admitted the disproportionality through its coordinator who maintained that developing and impoverished nations received only 10 percent of corn and 40 percent of wheat, while rich countries obtained 90 percent of corn and 60 percent of wheat.

Concurrently, Russian President Vladimir Putin warned that most of the grain exports found their way to the European Union instead of developing countries. Addressing this issue, Putin announced that Moscow is ready to export potash fertilizers to low-income nations, especially in Africa, free of charge

On July 17, Moscow announced that it had "terminated" the grain deal, explaining that it would be resumed once Western countries fulfill their commitments to the deal, which, according to Russia, only benefited Ukraine while sanctions hindered the export and sale of Russian grain and fertilizers.

On July 22, Moscow's deputy permanent representative to the UN reiterated that Russia's decision to withdraw from the grain deal was a result of unaddressed concerns, declaring that Moscow is open to rejoining the grain deal facilitated by the UN and Turkey but under certain conditions. Russia also emphasized that the grain deal should prioritize its original humanitarian purpose, aimed at addressing food issues in developing countries rather than benefiting wealthy nations.