Putin-Erdogan Meeting... Discussions on Resuming Black Sea Grain Deal End 'Empty-Handed' (Summary)

Russian President Vladimir Putin and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdo?an discussed ways for Russia to return to the Black Sea Grain Initiative but failed to reach an agreement.

After concluding a summit with President Erdo?an in Sochi, Russia, on the 4th (local time), President Putin stated at a joint press conference, "Russia is ready to resume the grain agreement, and if all the agreed terms are fulfilled, it will be implemented immediately."

There was keen interest in whether the summit would decide to resume the Black Sea Grain Initiative, which was suspended following Russia's termination announcement on July 17. However, President Putin reiterated Russia's existing stance that the agreement cannot be resumed until all of Russia's demands are met.

The Black Sea Grain Initiative is an agreement brokered by the United Nations and T?rkiye to guarantee that Ukraine, the world's largest grain exporter, could export grain through Black Sea ports even during Russia's special military operation. Since the agreement was signed, Ukraine's export routes, previously blocked by Russia, were reopened, resulting in 32 million tons of grain being exported worldwide since August last year. However, Russia notified the termination of the agreement on July 17, citing that promises to guarantee the export of its own agricultural products and fertilizers had not been honored due to Western sanctions.

The summit ended without significant progress as President Putin repeated Russia's position that all demands must be met. President Erdo?an, who positioned himself as a mediator to resume the agreement, and President Putin discussed various agendas for 90 minutes in the presence of delegations from both countries, followed by a 90-minute bilateral meeting. However, President Putin maintained his stance, saying, "If these promises are fulfilled, Russia can return to the agreement in the near future."

He expressed dissatisfaction, stating that the West must take measures such as easing sanctions, resuming imports of agricultural equipment and parts, and connecting banking and insurance services for Russia's grain and fertilizer exports, but these issues remain unresolved. "We were forced to withdraw from the agreement," he said.

President Putin also refuted criticism that Russia's withdrawal from the Black Sea Grain Initiative caused a global food crisis, saying, "Grain prices are falling, and there is no shortage of food."

In response, President Erdo?an said that he had prepared a new proposal for Russia in consultation with the United Nations and expressed optimism, stating, "We will be able to continue the grain agreement soon by narrowing the differences."

President Putin also mentioned that he discussed with President Erdo?an not only the Black Sea Grain Initiative but also plans to establish a gas hub in T?rkiye, saying, "Consultations will be held soon." He described the summit overall as "constructive."

With no breakthrough found in the discussions, concerns are rising that instability in the international grain market will be prolonged. According to the International Monetary Fund (IMF), the termination of the agreement by Russia is estimated to cause international grain prices to rise by 10 to 15 percent compared to previous levels.

For underdeveloped African countries highly dependent on Ukrainian grain, the food crisis is expected to worsen. On this day, President Putin said that negotiations to provide free grain to six African countries?Burkina Faso, Zimbabwe, Mali, Somalia, Eritrea, and the Central African Republic?are in the final stages, adding, "It will be transported free of charge within a few weeks."

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