Erdogan: Turkey will continue efforts to extend the grain deal

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said that Ankara will continue its efforts to extend the grain deal. He stressed that the solution of this issue depends on the fulfillment by Western countries of their obligations.

“We continue contacts to resume and expand the initiative of the grain corridor, which was suspended on July 17. We proceed from the fact that the solution of the issue of the grain deal, in order not to lead it to a dead end, depends on the implementation by the countries of the West of their words,” said the Turkish leader during a press conference.

On July 27, Russian President Vladimir Putin announced that in 3-4 months Russia would start supplying 25,000-50,000 tons of grain to some African countries. Shipping will be free. Under this initiative, grain will be sent to countries such as Zimbabwe, Burkina Faso, Somalia, Mali, the Central African Republic and Eritrea.

Recall that Moscow has repeatedly drawn attention to the fact that the bulk of the grain exported from Ukraine does not end up in the poorest states. Back in 2022, Russian President Vladimir Putin pointed out that only 3-5% of grain goes to such countries.

On July 24, the Russian leader said that Western big business was shamelessly cashing in on the grain deal by taking food out of Ukraine and reselling it.