Kremlin: Erdogan praised Russia’s agreement to extend grain deal

Presidents of Russia and Turkey Vladimir Putin and Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Saturday discussed by phone issues of Russian-Turkish partnership in various fields, a grain deal and Moscow’s assistance in eliminating the consequences of the earthquake, reported in the press service of the Kremlin.

According to the Kremlin, during the conversation, Erdogan thanked Putin for help in overcoming the consequences of the earthquake, including for the deployment of a Russian field hospital in Hatay province. The leaders of the two countries agreed to work out the possibilities of establishing supplies of building materials from Russia in order to restore the destroyed infrastructure and housing.

The Turkish president also positively assessed Russia’s agreement to extend for 60 days the Istanbul agreements on the export of Ukrainian grain from the Black Sea ports and the unblocking of Russian food and fertilizer exports.

“At the same time, an understanding was expressed of the principled intention of the Russian side to achieve the full implementation of the second part of the mentioned “package” agreements – to remove barriers to agricultural products from Russia,” the Kremlin said.

In addition, Putin and Erdogan stressed the importance of continuing the process of normalizing Turkish-Syrian relations, the Turkish President noted in this regard the constructive mediating role of Moscow, the Kremlin added.

The leaders of the two countries discussed on Saturday the topics of Russian-Turkish partnership in various fields. The parties noted the positive dynamics of trade and economic ties and the successful implementation of joint strategic projects in the energy sector, including gas supplies and the construction of the Akkuyu nuclear power plant in Turkey.

Turkish Anadolu Agency with reference to the Liaison Department of the Presidential Administration of Turkey reportedthat the heads of state also discussed the situation in Ukraine. Erdogan, as noted, told Putin that Ankara is in favor of an early cessation of hostilities through negotiations.