ISTANBUL: Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan expressed hope on Friday that Russian leader Vladimir Putin would still visit Turkey in August, as Ankara endeavors to revive a deal allowing Ukraine to export its grain through the Black Sea.
President Erdogan, after Friday prayers at an Istanbul mosque, informed reporters that talks were ongoing between his foreign minister and intelligence head to arrange the visit. He remained optimistic about the visit taking place in August despite the absence of a precise date.
The now-collapsed grain deal was brokered by Turkey and the United Nations in July 2022, facilitating the safe passage of Ukrainian grain shipments via the Black Sea. However, the deal ended last month when Moscow declined to renew it, causing disruptions in grain exports.
In a recent phone call with Putin, Erdogan urged the Russian leader not to escalate tensions further after Moscow targeted facilities vital for grain shipments from Ukraine.
Turkey Working Closely with Russia
Turkey has been working closely with Russia to export the grain to less developed African countries, and Erdogan emphasized their shared commitment to this cause.
Regarding Putin’s planned visit, Erdogan had announced last month that the Russian leader would visit Turkey in August during a joint press conference with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. However, tensions arose when Zelensky returned from Istanbul with five top commanders from the Azov regiment, a move that Russia deemed a “direct violation” of their agreement with Turkey.
Despite being a NATO member, Turkey has maintained amicable relations with both Russia and Ukraine throughout the conflict. While avoiding Western sanctions on Russia, Turkey has supplied arms to Ukraine.
As Ankara continues efforts to revive the grain deal and maintain its delicate balance between Russia and Ukraine, the anticipated visit of Vladimir Putin to Turkey holds significance for the countries involved and the broader dynamics in the region.
