Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said today that Russia is actively considering Turkey's proposal to organize peace talks with Ukraine and renew the grain export agreement. This was announced by the Anatolian Agency (AA) for BTA, according to the information exchange agreement between the two agencies, cited by BTA.
In an interview with the Russian state news agency RIA, Lavrov welcomed Turkey's efforts, especially the role of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, in finding a solution to the conflict in Ukraine.
Lavrov recalled that Turkey contributed to the preparation of an initial draft of a peace treaty between Russia and Ukraine, as well as agreements that allowed the export of Ukrainian grain through the Black Sea. This initiative became known as the Black Sea Grain Initiative.
„These agreements were later rejected or not fulfilled by Kiev,”, noted Lavrov. “The Ukrainian side refused to finalize the draft peace treaty and uses the Black Sea corridor for attacks and provocations against Russian ships and coastal infrastructure.“
Lavrov added that the Russian part of the deal, aimed at normalizing the access of Russian agricultural products and fertilizers to world markets, has not yet been fulfilled.
„President Vladimir Putin confirmed in his meeting with President Erdogan on the sidelines of the BRICS summit in Kazan that Russia is open to continuing talks on shipping in the Black Sea. UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres has expressed a similar position and all proposals are currently being reviewed by the relevant authorities,” said Lavrov.
Turkey organized the first meeting between the foreign ministers of Russia and Ukraine in Antalya in March 2022. These efforts led to the conclusion of the Black Sea Grain Initiative to transport grain across the Black Sea in 2022. However, Moscow did not extend the agreement beyond July 2023, citing restrictions on Russian grain exports as the reason.