Turkey says talks continue on extension of Black Sea grain deal

Turkey's defence ministry said on Tuesday that talks over the extension of a deal that allows the export of Ukrainian grain on the Black Sea are still continuing.

In a statement, the ministry cited Russia as agreeing to back a 60-day extension to the deal, brokered between Moscow and Kyiv in July by Turkey and the United Nations.

Russia said the deal had been extended for 60 days, but Ukraine said the agreement allows only a 120-day extension. 

Russia had previously signalled that is was unhappy with some aspects of the deal and asked for sanctions affecting its agricultural exports to be lifted.

The Black Sea Grain Initiative brokered by the United Nations and Turkey last July allowed grain to be exported from three Ukrainian ports. The agreement was extended in November and will expire on 18 March unless an extension is agreed.

Ukraine has also repeatedly accused Russia of delaying inspections of ships carrying Ukrainian agricultural goods, leading to reduced shipments and losses for traders, appealing for them to not use food as a weapon.

However, Russia has denied the accusations, saying it was meeting all its obligations under the grain export deal.

Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said earlier this month that Ankara was working hard for "the smooth implementation and further extension" of the deal.

Cavusoglu also said he discussed the extension efforts with UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres.

Turkey has pursued a middle way throughout the conflict in Ukraine, maintaining relations with both Moscow and Kyiv. 

(Reuters contributed to this report)