![Russian President Vladimir Putin, right, and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan shake hands during a news conference following their talks in Moscow on March 5, 2020 [File: Pavel Golovkin/Pool via Reuters]](https://titapost.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/putin.webp)
Russian President Vladimir Putin and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan are set to meet in the picturesque Black Sea resort of Sochi to discuss the possibility of reinstating a Ukraine grain export deal.
This deal played a crucial role in alleviating a global food crisis, and Erdogan aims to convince Putin to reconsider Russia’s withdrawal from the agreement.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov confirmed that the talks between the two leaders would take place in the middle of the day, Moscow time.
Erdogan, who previously played a significant role in persuading Putin to uphold the deal, hopes to rekindle the agreement’s success.
Akif Cagatay Kilic, Erdogan’s chief foreign policy and security advisor, expressed Turkey’s determination to address the current status of the grain deal during the summit.
In an interview on A Haber television channel, Kilic stated, “We play a leading role here. The current status (of the grain deal) will be discussed at the summit on Monday. We are cautious, but we hope to achieve success.”
The grain deal, brokered by the United Nations and Turkey, faced a setback when Russia withdrew from the agreement in July. Russia cited obstacles to its own food and fertilizer exports and expressed concerns about the insufficient amount of Ukrainian grain reaching countries in need.
Both Russia and Ukraine are major players in the global agricultural market, particularly in the production of wheat, barley, maize, rapeseed, rapeseed oil, sunflower seed, and sunflower oil.
The reinstatement of the grain export deal would not only benefit the two countries but also contribute to stabilizing global food prices and addressing the ongoing food crisis.
The meeting between Putin and Erdogan holds significant importance, as it could potentially pave the way for renewed cooperation and collaboration in the agricultural sector.
The leaders will discuss the challenges faced by the deal and explore possible solutions to ensure the smooth flow of grain exports from Ukraine to countries in need.
The international community will closely monitor the outcome of the meeting, as the reinstatement of the grain export deal would have far-reaching implications for global food security.
The success of the negotiations would not only alleviate the strain on food supplies but also strengthen diplomatic ties between Russia, Ukraine, and Turkey.
As the leaders convene in Sochi, the world awaits the outcome of their discussions, hoping for a positive resolution that will benefit all parties involved and contribute to the stability of the global food market.