Diplomatic discussions over the grain agreement featured prominently in talks between Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu and United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres. In a briefing from the Ministry, it was stated that the minister raised the grain agreement during the phone call with the UN chief, noting that the topic included in that exchange was the agreement’s implementation.
Former Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan also commented on the matter, sharing remarks after a discussion with Russian President Vladimir Putin. Erdoğan conveyed to reporters that there had been consideration of converting Russian grain into flour within Turkey to reach needy nations, a point that underscores the broader humanitarian aim of the discussions.
Putin reported that, despite various constraints, roughly 12 million tons of Russian grain had reached Africa. He noted that from August 1, 2022, to September 20, 2023, 827 ships departed Ukraine and deliveries amounted to about 3 million tons to Africa, with approximately 1.3 million tons going to the poorest African countries.
In reiterating Russia’s stance, Putin emphasized that during the same period, even with export restrictions in place, about 12 million tons of grain were sent from Russia to Africa. He also indicated that if the grain agreement were not extended in May, Moscow was prepared to supply free grain to African nations as an alternative arrangement.
The discussions reflect ongoing efforts by Turkey, alongside international partners, to monitor and advance the flow of grain to regions facing food insecurity, while weighing the legal and logistical implications of the agreement and potential extensions. The exchanges illustrate the high-stakes diplomacy surrounding food aid, sanctions, and regional stability in a time of global supply pressures. (DEA News Attribution: DEA News)