Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan underscored the reliance of the Black Sea grain transportation initiative on Western nations' commitment. Speaking at the annual conference of Turkish ambassadors in Ankara on August 8, Erdogan highlighted the importance of the West's role in restoring the "grain agreement," which facilitated the export of Ukrainian grain via Black Sea ports during times of conflict.
Erdogan's comments reflect the intricacies of the initiative's progress, indicating that the initiative's fate hinges on the fulfilment of promises by Western countries. He referenced their obligation to uphold the agreement and enable the export of Ukrainian grain, a significant component of the region's agricultural trade.
In his address, Erdogan also expressed concern over the Western approach to the broader geopolitical landscape, particularly regarding the Don initiative. He lamented the lack of proactive measures by the West to leverage the positive atmosphere fostered by the Don initiative, which aims to achieve a ceasefire and long-term peace.
Emphasising Turkey's stance, Erdogan warned against the potential dire consequences if the conflict were to escalate and spread to the Black Sea region, highlighting the significant geopolitical implications such an escalation could entail.
Despite these challenges, Erdogan offered a glimmer of hope, referencing a recent telephone conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin. The Turkish leader indicated that Moscow's demands, discussed during the conversation, were taken into account. However, he refrained from disclosing further details regarding the nature of these demands or their implications.
The backdrop to the Black Sea grain initiative included Moscow's expressed dissatisfaction with the agreement, particularly regarding the export of Russian fertilisers. The Kremlin's critique extended to Western markets, suggesting that a significant portion of Ukrainian grain intended to alleviate hunger was retained within these markets.
During the initiative's duration, Ukraine managed to export a substantial 33 million tons of grain from its ports to the global market, as reported by AFP. The complexities of the initiative, coupled with Erdogan's statements, illuminate the nuanced dynamics of international agreements and their potential impact on regional stability and trade.
Earlier Daryo mentioned that United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has suggested linking a subsidiary of Russia's agricultural bank to the SWIFT global payment system to ensure the Black Sea grain deal's continuity in talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
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