Resumption of grain deal is a diplomatic win: Erdogan
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Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan called the revival of the grain deal a diplomatic success and it the credit goes to Ankara's balanced approach to all parties involved on the matter.
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Secretary-General António Guterres and President Recep Tayyip Erdogan at the signing ceremony of the Black Sea Grain Initiative in Istanbul, Turkey
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan stated that resuming the UN-brokered grain deal is a diplomatic achievement.
Earlier on October 29, the Russian Defense Ministry announced that Russia was withdrawing its participation from the deal following Ukraine’s drone attack on vessels of the Russian Black Sea Fleet in Sevastopol.
It was reported that over 200 ships that were intended to export grains remained stuck as a result of that suspension.
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Russia announced following the deal halt that it is prepared to compensate at its own expense for the undelivered grain supplies that did not reach African countries, as ships that were supposed to sail through the safe corridor under the UN-brokered grain deal remained stuck following Ukraine's attack on the Russian Black Sea Fleet using western drones.
Russia has since demanded Ukraine provide it with "commitments" not to use the grain exports corridor for military purposes.
On Wednesday, Russian President Vladimir Putin said the Russian Defense Ministry was instructed to resume its engagement in the grain deal. However, the extension of the deal later was not deemed certain but will be decided upon in accordance with its effectiveness.
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"We play a key role in diplomacy because of our peaceful politics. Resolving the grain crisis is a diplomatic success," the Turkish President said on Saturday during a political convention in Istanbul.
Erdogan highlighted that the resumption of the deal was due to Ankara's "balanced relationships" with Russia's and Ukraine's leaders as well as the UN secretary-general.
"Russia reserves the right to withdraw from these agreements if these guarantees are breached by Ukraine," Russian President Vladimir Putin said regarding the resumed grain deal.
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Earlier this week Moscow confirmed that talks were resumed between Russia, Turkey, and the UN regarding the grain deal and that contacts are continuing through diplomatic agencies.
It's noteworthy that the New York Times reported earlier that an attack on the Russian Black Sea Fleet in Sevastopol was carried out by the Ukrainian armed forces using Western-made drones.
Russia accused Ukraine and Britain of carrying out a drone attack on its navy in the Black Sea, which caused "minor damage" to one of the ships.
