Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan stated on Wednesday that a mechanism to permanently guarantee the safety of commercial maritime transport in the Black Sea is essential to prevent further worsening of the grain crisis, according to reports.
“The safety of all civilian maritime transport in the Black Sea is crucial for us. Conflicts between parties should not escalate to a point that jeopardizes civilian safety and commercial activities,” Erdogan noted.
He emphasized, “We must resolve this issue.” These comments follow Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan’s announcement earlier this week regarding Ankara’s plan for the safe passage of grains through the Black Sea, with ongoing discussions involving both Russia and Ukraine.
Erdogan met with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Tuesday in Bishkek, on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization summit. Yuri Ushakov, Putin’s foreign policy advisor, confirmed that discussions about the Black Sea situation took place between the two leaders.
Erdogan Cites Black Sea Attacks as Trigger for Grain Crisis
While addressing journalists during his return flight from Kyrgyzstan, Erdogan remarked that a grain crisis has resurfaced, particularly in Africa, urging immediate action to mitigate the issue before it escalates further, according to a transcript released by his office on Wednesday.
In July 2022, Turkey and the United Nations facilitated the so-called “Black Sea Grain Initiative,” which enabled the safe export of nearly 33 million tons of Ukrainian grain via the Black Sea.
However, Russia withdrew from the agreement in 2023, claiming that its own food and fertilizer exports faced significant obstacles.
Regarding recent efforts to establish a new agreement, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Alexander Grushko stated on Wednesday that Moscow sees no reason to resume the Black Sea grain deal.
