Russian and Turkish defense ministers discuss grain deal

Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu discussed with his Turkish counterpart Hulusi Akar the grain deal, Syria and Nagorno-Karabakh, reported press service of the Russian defense department in the Telegram channel. Telephone conversations were held on the initiative of the Turkish side.

“During the talks, the parties discussed the results of the implementation of the Black Sea Initiative, the issues of the Syrian and Nagorno-Karabakh settlement, as well as other areas of cooperation of mutual interest,” the ministry said in a statement.

March 18, Russian Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Maria Zakharova reportedthat the Russian side agreed to extend the grain deal for only 60 days. According to her, the parties were notified not only orally, but also by special notes. In his Telegram channel Zakharov addedthat “the Ukrainian side, through the Belarusian colleagues, was notified of 60 days, as well as the Turkish side, as well as the UN Secretary General.”

Earlier, speaking at the international parliamentary conference “Russia – Africa in a multinational world”, Russian President Vladimir Putin declaredthat Russia insists on the package nature of the grain deal, as well as full compliance with the basic Russian requirements.