ANKARA (Parliament Politics Magazine) – Recep Tayyip Erdogan, the president of Turkey, stated on Thursday that he too wanted grain from Russia to be exported. He. further said that Vladimir Putin was correct to express his displeasure that grain from Ukraine under a UN-backed agreement was going to rich rather than poor nations.
The grain export deal sought to prevent a worldwide food crisis by ensuring the safe passage of ships in and out of Ukrainian ports and enabling them to transport tens of millions of tonnes of grain that had been blockaded by Russian actions.
The agreement, which was signed by the UN, Turkey, Ukraine, and Russia, also makes it easier for Russian exports.
Mr. Putin was troubled by the fact that grain exports were going to the nations who enforced those sanctions (against Moscow). At a press conference with his Croatian counterpart, Erdogan added, they also wanted grain exports to begin from Russia.
Erdogan remarked, unfortunately, the grain that came as part of that grain agreement went to affluent countries, not to impoverished ones.
President Putin of Russia suggested Wednesday that the agreement be restricted since it was supplying grain, other foods, and fertiliser to the EU and Turkey rather than impoverished nations.
The Istanbul-based coordination group of which the four signatories were a part, claim that about 30% of the cargo has been shipped to countries with low and lower-middle income countries.Â
Turkey, a NATO member with deep links to both Ukraine and Russia, has attempted to maintain a balance in its relations throughout the conflict by opposing Western sanctions against Moscow, criticising the Russian invasion, and providing Kyiv with armed drones. Officials from the UN and Russia met on Wednesday in Geneva to talk about Russian allegations that Western sanctions were obstructing its supplies of grain and fertiliser in spite of the UN agreement.
The resumption of Ukrainian exports in August contributed to a decline in world wheat prices, according to Ismini Palla, UN spokeswoman for the Black Sea Grain Initiative, and continuing this trend required adequate food and fertiliser supplies.
Even though more than 100 cargo ships have departed Ukrainian ports since the agreement was struck in late July, Ukraine’s wheat has not been reaching its typical customers in Africa in even close to normal quantities.
The parties must agree to renew the deal, which was mediated by Turkey and the UN, every 120 days.
Late November is when it expires.
