Erdogan: "I May Be Able to Talk with Putin Within a Few Days"

"The Black Sea Grain Initiative Should Last as Long as Possible"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Young-won] Recep Tayyip Erdogan, President of Turkiye (Turkey), said on the 12th (local time) that "I may be able to speak with Russian President Vladimir Putin within a few days," according to major foreign media including TASS News Agency.

According to reports, President Erdogan made this remark while meeting with reporters on a plane returning from attending the Turkic Council (OTS) summit held in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, stating, "We are continuing efforts for peace negotiations between Russia and Ukraine."

President Erdogan added, "If I get to talk with President Putin, I will be able to discuss what he is thinking and what measures Russia can take for the peace negotiations."

Turkiye, which maintains friendly relations with both Russia and Ukraine, has been acting as a mediator between Russia and Ukraine, including arranging peace talks in March this year.

President Erdogan emphasized that peace negotiations are the best solution while mentioning the 'Black Sea Grain Initiative' and stated that Ukraine's position is important. Earlier, Turkiye played a key role in mediating the Black Sea Grain Initiative in July, which allowed Ukraine and Russia to export grain and fertilizer through the Black Sea, and recently also played a major role in persuading Russia, which had declared its withdrawal from the agreement, to return.

Regarding the expiration of the Black Sea Grain Initiative on the 19th of this month, President Erdogan said, "Turkiye cannot set the deadline," but added, "It should last as long as possible."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.