Erdogan to visit Russia on Aug 5; likely to hold talks with Putin on grain corridor deal

Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan is expected to embark on a one-day visit to Russia on August 5. According to Turkish presidency, Erdogan will meet his Russian counterpart Vlimir Putin in coastal city of Sochi. Turkey President's visit comes in backdrop of Russian shelling of Ukraine's Odessa port, just a day after  historic grain corridor agreement was signed on July 22 in Istanbul. Earlier on July 26, Erdogan expressed concern over Russia's actions and asked both warring sides to follow through on ir commitments and here to ir agreements regarding export of Ukrainian grains.

Meanwhile, on July 24,  Turkish Defence Ministry promised to ensure speedy and safe grain exports from Ukraine via Black Sea. Defence Minister Hulusi Akar stated that Ankara will continue to uphold its commitment and fulfil obligations laid out in grain agreement. Since start of Russian invasion of Ukraine on February 24, Turkey has continued to serve as primary mediator between two warring sides. 

Turkey's President bats for strict implementation of grain agreement

Furr, transcontinental nation has also facilitated multiple rounds of peace negotiations between Russia and Ukraine and laid foundation for a historic agreement that would aid in reducing immediate dangers of global food insecurity and hunger in weaker nations. "We expect everyone to fulfil ir part of grain agreement. Its failure will turn against us all. We are determined to implement this agreement with all of its components and our efforts in this regard continue," Turkish President Erdogan told TRT World. Earlier, he stated that agreement has been me taking care of all processes, from departure of ships to ir safe pass as well as arrival at destination ports.

Russia-Ukraine grain agreement

It is pertinent to mention here that Ukraine and Russia signed separate grain export deals with United Nations and Turkey, paving way for shipment of millions of tonnes of urgently required Ukrainian grain. deal is expected to enable Ukraine to resume shipping grain from Black Sea to international markets. In dition, Russia would also begin exporting grain and fertilisers, ending a dispute that h jeopardised global food security.

Im: AP