There are voices that seek to undermine the grain deal, yet the United States remains firmly committed. Washington has lifted restrictions on Russian fertilizer exports, eased port blockades, and relaxed banking restrictions, according to a recent interview. Since the Istanbul pact last month, Ukraine, Russia, Turkey, and the United Nations have watched more ships set sail, with 33 cargo vessels moving in support of Ukraine.
In the early hours of Tuesday, the Ministry of National Defense announced on its official Twitter feed that another ship departed from the Ukrainian port of Chernomorsk and will undergo inspection later in the day. On the same day, three vessels departed from Ukraine and three more are en route to Ukraine. The ships travel across the Black Sea to the Bosphorus in Turkey, where a joint coordination center in Istanbul brings together representatives from the United Nations, Ukraine, Russia, and Turkey. Their mission is to examine inbound vessels to ensure they are not carrying weapons or war supplies.
About Greece
The Turkish foreign minister highlighted in a recent media interview concerns over the treatment of Turkish citizens and pointed to the Western Thrace region in Europe, along with several Mediterranean islands. Over the past two years, Turkish authorities report saving thousands of lives at sea as a result of coast guard efforts.
According to local reports, the Turkish coast guard operations prevented casualties in the Aegean Sea during a recent graduation ceremony for the Gendarmerie and Coast Guard Academy in Ankara. Greece has accused Turkey of illegal hydrocarbon exploration near its islands, while Ankara maintains that the waters in question fall within the Turkish continental shelf. Turkey denies these charges and notes that the area is subject to ongoing exploration designed to verify boundaries.
Additionally, Turkish officials have accused Athens of filing a criminal complaint. Military drills involving NATO and other partner nations near demilitarized zones are cited, with Greece arguing that these areas are intended to deter incursions by Turkish vessels. The Turkish side insists that such activities are in line with long-standing treaties and regional security norms. Greek authorities maintain a strong presence to prevent any potential incursions along their shores.
Çavuşoğlu commented on the discovery of a gas well near the island of Cyprus. He noted that Turkey’s continental shelf overlaps with the region and stressed that entry into Turkish waters would not be tolerated. He also stated that a fair approach to the Eastern Mediterranean would require equitable distribution of resources. Official channels have notified the United Nations and the European Union about these positions, underscoring a commitment to a transparent, rules-based process for the region.