Erdogan spoke about cooperation between Turkey and Russia on grain supplies

Erdogan says he continues to cooperate with Putin on grain for needy countries

Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan said he continues to work with his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin on the free delivery of food and possibly fertilizer to countries in need.

Earlier, Erdogan said he had agreed with the Russian president on the possibility of sending Russian grain and fertilizer to starving countries in Africa for free. Putin pointed out in early September last year that the West exports most of Ukraine’s grain to its own states and not to needy countries in Africa. He claimed that Moscow was ready to supply the poorest countries with the entire volume of grain that was intended for them as part of the grain deal, free of charge.

“We have an agreement with the esteemed Mr. Putin. He told me that he was ready to send grain for free. Because in the first stage most of the grain, about 44, perhaps even 46 percent, was received by Europe. I said that we are ready to make flour out of this grain and send it to the countries in need. Fertilizer supplies are also possible,” Erdoğan said in an interview with TRT television.

The grain deal, which was signed July 22 by representatives of Russia, Turkey, Ukraine and the United Nations, involves the export of Ukrainian grain, food and fertilizers by the Black Sea from three ports, including Odessa. The contract expired on November 18, but implied an automatic extension for 120 days if there were no objections from the parties. The deal itself was part of a package deal that included unblocking Russian exports of food and fertilizers, which Moscow said had not been fulfilled. At the same time, there were assurances from the UN that the restrictions would be lifted.

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