Erdogan explained the extension of the grain deal with special relations with Russia

The grain deal was extended for another two months thanks to the “special relationship” between Moscow and Ankara. About it declared Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in an interview with CNN.

“This was made possible by our special relationship with President Putin,” he said, explaining the extension of the grain deal.

Erdogan also noted that Turkey and Russia have “positive relations”, so the issue of imposing sanctions against Moscow is not worth it. According to him, in relations with countries such as Russia, it is necessary to adhere to a “balanced approach.”

On May 17, the grain deal was extended for another two months. The last time it was extended for the same period on March 18. Erdogan then stated that Ankara would make every effort to fully implement the deal and extend it in subsequent periods. The Kremlin confirmed the extension of the deal, noting the relative result in the negotiations with the participation of representatives of Turkey, Ukraine and the UN. According to the press secretary of the Russian President Dmitry Peskov, the fate of the deal is in the hands of those with whom the UN must agree on the Russian part of the agreement.

The grain deal was concluded on July 22, 2022 by representatives of Turkey and the UN, on the one hand, and representatives of Russia and Ukraine, on the other. Separate agreements were concluded with Moscow and Kiev: the first was for the export of Ukrainian grain from three ports, including Odessa, Yuzhny and Chernomorsk, and the second was for assistance in the export of Russian grain and fertilizers. Moscow has repeatedly noted that the second part of the deal is not being implemented.