Ministry of Foreign Affairs: the project to supply 1 million tons of grain to Turkey is at the development stage

The initiative to organize the supply of 1 million tons of Russian grain to Turkey at a preferential price for processing and subsequent shipment to countries in need is at the development stage. This was announced by Deputy Foreign Minister of the Russian Federation Sergei Vershinin at a press conference, which was broadcast was carried out on the department’s YouTube channel.

“This scheme, it is being worked out, it is being announced now. It will mean that Russian grain, after processing in Turkey, will go to those countries that really need it, and not to well-fed countries, where Ukrainian grain has been going throughout the year,” he said.

With this initiative, Russia, the diplomat emphasized, confirms its desire to help developing countries overcome difficulties in the food sector. By the end of the year, the country will send over 200,000 tons of grain to six African countries, he added.

The initiative to organize the supply of 1 million tons of Russian grain to Turkey at a preferential price with financial support from Qatar was made by Russian President Vladimir Putin. The grain will be processed at Turkish enterprises and sent to countries most in need. August 31st initiative discussed Foreign Ministers of Russia and Turkey Sergei Lavrov and Hakan Fidan. September 6, Deputy Foreign Minister of the Russian Federation Alexander Grushko reportedthat Moscow and Ankara have agreed on the supply, and the parties will begin to work out the technical details in the near future.

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. As part of the negotiations, two agreements were signed between Moscow and Kiev. The first is for the export of Ukrainian grain from three ports, including Odessa, Yuzhny and Chernomorsk, the second is for assistance in the export of Russian grain and fertilizers. Moscow has repeatedly stated that the second part of the deal is not being implemented.

On July 17, Russia left the Black Sea initiative. The Kremlin explained this by failure to comply with the second part of the agreement, which concerns, among other things, the lifting of restrictions on the supply of Russian products.