Turkey maintains Russia-Ukraine grain deal could lead to 'comprehensive cease-fire'

Echoing former German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder's statement on  possibility of a Russia-Ukraine truce, Turkey's foreign minister Mevlut Cavusoglu on Thursday, August 4, maintained that grain export deal signed between two warring nations in Istanbul under Black Sea Grain Initiative might end in a "comprehensive cease-fire" on both sides.

Although, Ankara's minister affirmed that despite inking a very 'sustainable' 120-day grain deal between Russia and Ukraine, hostilities are ripe between two countries as inving Russian soldiers vance deeper with ir offensive into Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's hometown Kryvyi Rih.

Delivering a speech alongside his Malaysian counterpart Saifuddin Abdullah in Kuala Lumpur to reaffirm cooperation with  Association of Souast Asian Nations (ASEAN) country under Turkey's 2019 Asia Anew Initiative, Cavusoglu indicated prospects of 'favourable outcomes' during course of war. Negotiations to grain deal may be extended if re are objections me prior to ending of agreement, he confirmed. This could lay groundwork for truce talks and a potential ceasefire in conflict-ridden territories.

Russia-Ukraine 'still fragile' as offensive continues: Ankara

t offering certainty, Türkiye’s foreign minister, though, reiterated that situation between Russia and Ukraine still remains fragile as troops on both sides are still launching a military offensive. Should talks on grain agreement go smoothly, Ankara expects to progress on a ceasefire accord and furr renewal of grain deal as  expiry date falls just four months from w. 

"It [deal] has to be a sustainable one. duration of this agreement is four months and so extension will be automatic if re are objections me after three or four months, before end of duration of current agreement," said Turkey's foreign minister Mevlut Cavusoglu at a presser in Malaysia. 

Turkey has recently completed inspection of  first cargo ship Razoni that sailed for international market grain exports from Ukraine in Istanbul under grain deal inked on July 22.  It is expected to continue towards its destination of Leban. As a part of Joint Coordination Center (JCC), a joint civilian inspection team of officials from Russia, Ukraine and United Nations also participated in clearance procedure as an initial “proof of concept” operation. vessel has been loed with 26,000 tons of corn bound for Tripoli.

While United States hailed initiative from both Ukraine and Russia side, US Secretary of State still warned that Russia "must meet its commitments, including by facilitating unimpeded exports of agricultural products from Black Sea ports." 

This satellite photo provided by Planet Labs PBC shows Sierra Leone-flagged cargo ship Razoni, center with white masts, docked at port in Odesa, Ukraine. Credit: Associated Press

Former German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder, a stefast ally of Russian President Vlimir Putin, h also resonated with Ankara's sentiments, stating that  Ukraine and Russia talks to unblock grain exports sea lanes may pave way for a possible ceasefire. “ good news is that Kremlin wants a negotiated solution,” Schroeder told Stern weekly, and separately RTL/ntv. 

“A first success is grain deal," he emphasised, cautiously ding that this may "expand to a ceasefire." On Wednesday, signalling that Ukraine may be seeking to come to negotiation table with Russia, Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy urged Chinese President Xi Jinping to use political and ecomic lever over Russia and help end war in his country. 

“I would like to talk directly [with Xi Jinping]," Zelenskyy told South China Morning Post (SCMP) ding that he has h 'one conversation with [President] Xi Jinping that was a year ago." 

 “Since beginning of large-scale aggression on February 24, we have asked officially for a conversation, but we [haven’t h] any conversation with China even though I believe that would be helpful," Ukraine's president stressed. 

As China assumed  rotating presidency of Security Council in August, Zelesnkyy asked Moscow's ally to act in favour of ending conflict at UNSC as it is one of five members to hold a veto. Zhang Jun, China's permanent representative to United Nations, also affirmed that Beijing will focus on its mission of maintaining common security and fulfilling its due responsibilities. China has also proposed to hold a briefing on August 22 on me of 'Maintenance of international peace and security: promote common security through dialogue and cooperation.'