Turkey's Erdogan emphasises importance of grain deal in Putin call

Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan emphasised the importance of avoiding steps that could jeopardise the resumption of the Black Sea grain initiative in talks with his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin on Wednesday, Erdogan's office said.

The two leaders also agreed that Putin would visit Turkey, the Turkish presidency's statement said, without giving a date. A senior Turkish official said that discussions between Ankara and Moscow are ongoing for a visit in late August.

Russia quit the deal that had allowed the safe Black Sea export of Ukraine grain on 17 July and has since attacked Ukrainian agricultural and port infrastructure.

Moscow has repeatedly said that it was ready to return to the deal "immediately" once an accompanying agreement concerning Russia was implemented.

Erdogan said last month he hoped Putin's planned visit could lead to the restoration of the Black Sea grain deal, and called on Western countries to consider Russia's demands.

Moscow exited the deal complaining that the international community had failed to ensure that Russia could also freely export its grain and fertiliser.

"President Erdogan expressed the importance of refraining from steps that could escalate tensions during the Russia-Ukraine war, emphasizing the significance of the Black Sea initiative, which he described as a bridge of peace," the Turkish presidency's statement added.

The Kremlin said Putin asked President Erdogan on Wednesday to help Russia export its grain to African countries vulnerable to food shortages.

"The willingness for cooperation with Turkey and other interested states on this issue was expressed" during a call between the two leaders, a Kremlin statement said.

(Reuters, AFP)