Ankara has been actively engaging with foreign partners and states showing interest in the grain deal, a move taken on the eve of major international gatherings. Reports from TASS, grounded in Turkish political circles, confirm that the Turkish leadership is pursuing intensified outreach to broaden the Black Sea initiative and sustain momentum for a broader agreement on grain shipments. These efforts are part of a wider strategy to keep the initiative dynamic and adaptable in the face of evolving regional realities.
The Turkish government is described as stepping up its work to advance the Black Sea corridor, with a focus on practical steps that can ease access for agricultural exports. In the minutes of discussions observed by creditable sources, the work is said to have accelerated ahead of the G20 summit in New Delhi and the United Nations General Assembly in New York, highlighting Ankara’s aim to leverage high-profile international platforms to secure broader support and clearer terms for the initiative.
An interlocutor cited by the agency indicated that talks on this topic would continue at multiple levels, including direct discussions between Ankara and Kyiv and broad efforts to find a durable settlement related to Ukraine. The statement points to a multi-layered approach, combining diplomacy with ongoing dialogue among involved parties to identify workable pathways for grain shipments while addressing security and logistical concerns.
Additionally, it was suggested that Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan could meet with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in the near term, a possibility tied to Ankara’s earlier call for Kyiv to show flexibility on the food initiative. The suggestion reflects Ankara’s preference for pragmatic diplomacy and its readiness to facilitate negotiations that could sustain grain flows amid the conflict and regional tensions.
On September 7, Vasyl Bodnar, Ukraine’s ambassador to Türkiye, reported that Kyiv had proposed that Ankara continue the grain corridor work without Moscow’s participation. Described by the diplomat as a rational approach, this proposal emphasizes Ukraine’s desire to keep the corridor functioning while seeking arrangements that do not depend on all parties being aligned on every issue.
Former United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has named the extension of the grain deal as one of the organization’s most important tasks, underscoring the international community’s commitment to maintaining stable food supplies. The emphasis from the UN reflects a broader concern about global food security and the need for predictable shipping routes that can withstand geopolitical disruptions. The ongoing dialogue among Ankara, Kyiv, and international partners continues to shape the evolving framework for cargo movements and related humanitarian considerations, with all sides weighing the best options to minimize risk and maximize reliability for those relying on grain imports.