As Russian forces closed major Ukrainian seaports, causing a food crisis, Turkey emphasised the importance of agricultural and fertiliser exports in preventing a global food disaster. Turkish Presidential Spokesperson Ibrahim Kalin, who was in Madrid and met with his Spanish counterparts, said that Turkey will ensure that all parties agree on establishing a framework for grain movement over the Black Sea. He further said that during Russia’s Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov’s visit to Turkey next week, Ankara will discuss the current situation with him.
He noted that transporting grain products through the Black Sea and Azov Sea ports – which are currently blocked by the Russian forces – to the international market by passing through the straits would be the most reasonable and feasible option, both economically and physically. “When these grain products pass through the Black Sea and the straits, they will also play a key role in preventing the world food crisis,” he said.
According to the Turkish diplomat, Ankara’s military authorities and other experts in logistics, transportation and agriculture will come together to discuss these issues in the near future. However, the spokesperson noted that the Ukrainian side will also work on the clearance of mines in the Odesa ports. “In this direction, of course, the Ukrainian side will have to work on clearing the mines in the Odesa ports. But in return, There are some legitimate security expectations that Russian ships will not enter these ports,” he noted.
