Russian President Vladimir Putin is set to receive his Turkish counterpart, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, in the city of Sochi in southern Russia on Monday, according to an announcement by the Kremlin on Friday.
The meeting is anticipated to rekindle hopes of reviving the agreement for exporting Ukrainian grains.
In July, Russia ceased the implementation of an agreement reached a year ago with the mediation of Turkey and the United Nations.
This agreement allowed for the export of grains through secure passages in the Black Sea.
Dmitry Peskov, the spokesperson for the Russian presidency, stated that “the talks will take place in Sochi on Monday.”
Earlier this week, Ankara disclosed that the two presidents would discuss the potential revival of the agreement regarding the export of Ukrainian grains.
During his visit to Moscow on Thursday, Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan emphasized that reinstating the grain export agreement is “critical” for global food security and stability in the Black Sea region.
Moscow also expressed its readiness to revive the agreement if its requests are taken into consideration, particularly regarding its ability to export fertilizers.
Fidan, who visited the Russian capital in preparation for Erdogan’s visit, remarked, “There is now a path based on a better understanding and better responsiveness to Russia’s requests.”
His Russian counterpart, Sergey Lavrov, emphasized that their country would not settle for “promises” regarding agricultural exports, but instead seeks “guarantees with tangible results that can be implemented starting from tomorrow.”
The termination of the agreement has led to increased tensions in the Black Sea region, as Russia threatened to treat any ship sailing from Ukraine as a potential military target.
Kyiv generally relies on overland routes and shallow river ports, limiting the quantity of exported grains.
However, it has also resorted to a new sea route through the Black Sea despite Russian threats.
Erdogan’s visit confirmation comes shortly after Kyiv announced the departure of two additional ships.
Ukrainian Infrastructure Minister Oleksandr Koprakov stated on Friday that “two ships are sailing through the temporary passage from Ukrainian ports on the Black Sea to the Bosporus.”
Turkey aims to revive the agreement in hopes of using it as a catalyst for broader peace negotiations between Kyiv and Moscow.
