Erdogan and Zelensky discussed the possibility of extending the grain deal

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan discussed with his Ukrainian counterpart Vladimir Zelensky the possibility of extending the grain agreement, the office of the Turkish leader said.

“During a telephone conversation, held at the request of Zelensky, the leaders discussed in detail the issue of extending the agreement on the Black Sea grain corridor. President Erdogan said that Turkey is making active efforts to ensure that peace reigns, ”the Erdogan representation said (quote according to RIA Novosti).

On July 21, the Turkish leader announced his desire to discuss a grain deal with Russian President Vladimir Putin. At the same time, the press secretary of the Russian President Dmitry Peskov today declaredthat Putin is not yet planning contacts with Erdogan.

Russia withdrew from the grain deal, which was signed on July 22, 2022 by representatives of Turkey, the UN, Russia and Ukraine on July 17. Peskov explained this by the failure to fulfill Russian conditions under the grain deal. At the same time, Putin noted that the deal could be resumed provided that Russia’s demands were taken into account and implemented.

Zelensky at the same time said that Kyiv plans to continue the Black Sea initiative without Russia. The Russian Ministry of Defense announced that from July 20, all ships that go to Ukrainian ports in the Black Sea will be considered as “potential carriers of military cargo.”