Moscow, Russia - Moscow on Thursday reiterated the need to fully implement the provisions of the Russia-UN memorandum for the resumption of the grain deal, Alexey Polishchuk, head of the second department of the CIS countries at the Russian Foreign Ministry said in an interview with the Russian news agency...
With no deal in place with Ukraine, Russia starts grain supply initiative
Moscow, Russia - Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Vershinin has confirmed the commencement of the implementation of the Russian grain supply initiative, which aims to deliver one million metric tons of grain to countries in need, Russian news agency TASS reported on Friday. Vershinin stated that practical steps are now...
Turkish officials discuss scenarios around stalled Russia grain deal
Turkey’s top diplomat Hakan Fidan is planning to discuss the results of these discussions with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and his Ukrainian counterpart Dmitry Kuleba, Turkish media reported. Officials say a stalemate could lead to an escalation of food crisis and possible military tensions.Turkey ‘warned’ Russia after Black Sea ship attack: Ankara
The Sukru Okan vessel was flying the flag of Palau when it was fired on by the Russian navy last Sunday. Russian military personnel then boarded the ship to conduct an inspection, before letting it sail on toward the Ukrainian port of Izmail -- the main export route for Ukrainian...
With Putin arriving in Aug, Erdogan confident of Ukraine grain deal extension
The Black Sea grain deal was first signed in July 2022, five months after the Russian invasion of Ukraine, and has already been renewed two times. This time however, Putin has repeatedly threatened not to renew it because of obstacles to Russia's own exports. The deal, which Erdogan helped broker,...
UN working to renew Ukraine grain export deal
That crucial accord granting safe passage for Ukrainian grain to be exported via Black Sea ports despite Moscow's invasion was signed in July 2022 by Russia, Ukraine, Turkey and the United Nations. It was renewed again in May but for only two months, until July 17. But the Kremlin on...
Three days before election, Russia hopes for Erdogan’s win
In a world where Turkey and Russia are both sceptical of Western military, political and economic dominance, Putin and Erdogan see each other as reliable partners. "Russia must have breathed a sigh of relief," said a Western diplomat, referring to the outcome of the first round on May 14.
Ukraine grain deal extended for two months: Erdogan
Erdogan made the announcement one day before it had been due to expire, scoring a diplomatic coup ahead of a May 28 runoff election in which he will try to extend his two-decade rule until 2028. He thanked "my precious friend", Russian President Vladimir Putin, Ukrainian counterpart Volodymyr Zelensky and...
Turkey says Ukraine war ‘will not end easily’
Turkey, which helped broker a deal with the United Nations for the export of Ukrainian grain through the Black Sea this summer, is seeking to bring together Russian and Ukrainian leaders for negotiations to end the war. It already hosted a meeting between the Russian and Ukrainian foreign ministers in...
