Russia agrees to UN plan to export grain from Ukraine.
The Turkish Foreign Ministry says that in the opinion of the head of the Russian diplomatic service, the UN plan for the export of Ukrainian grain is acceptable, but Moscow’s concerns should be addressed.
Ankara has announced that Moscow has agreed to a plan to export Ukrainian grain, after accusing the United States of leading Russia in creating a global food crisis over its naval blockade of Ukraine.
Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlüt Çavuşo .lu said on Wednesday evening that Russia and Turkey considered the proposed UN mechanism for Ukraine’s grain exports acceptable.
According to Sputnik, during a visit to Ankara last week by Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, Cavusoglu explained his position on a plan to help export food from Ukrainian ports.
“We believe that the proposed mechanism of the UN is acceptable and it is important that this problem be resolved through the UN system,” Cavusoglu told a news conference in Ankara. “I told Lavrov during this meeting that this is a common problem, not a problem between the two countries.”
He also stressed the need to address Moscow’s concerns about opening humanitarian crossings for grain exports from Ukraine.
“Russia is afraid of transferring weapons [to Ukraine],” the Turkish foreign minister said. These fears must also be eliminated, an acceptable option must be found for all parties. “We are now waiting for Russia’s response. If it agrees, a quadripartite technical meeting will be held in Istanbul and a center will be set up to monitor the implementation of the mechanism.”
“There is no connection between Ukraine’s grain and the food problem, but the European Union sees it as a global catastrophe,” Lavrov had previously said.
The Ukrainian Foreign Ministry has said it appreciates Turkey’s efforts to lift the blockade on Ukrainian ports, but rejects any agreement reached between Ankara and Moscow that does not serve Kiev’s interests.
