Turkey handed over Ukraine’s written assurances to Russian Defense Minister Shoygu, making it possible to resume the grain deal. The Turkish side expressed concern about the risk of higher grain prices if Russia pulls out of the deal
he sea corridor for agricultural exports from Ukraine has been fully normalized after talks with Kiev and Moscow, Turkish Defense Minister Hulusi Akar told Habertürk TV.
“We received written guarantees from Ukraine, handed them over to [Russian Defense Minister] Sergei Shoigu. At 12:00 on Wednesday it was decided to resume the work of the grain export mechanism. The work of the sea corridor is fully normalized. Its operation continues, it is a humanitarian mission,” said the head of the Turkish Defense Ministry.
According to Ankara, over 10 million tons of grain have been exported from Ukraine during the work of the corridor.
Russia suspended its participation in the grain deal on October 29 after drones attacked the ships of the Black Sea Fleet in Sevastopol. The Russian Defense Ministry claimed that these vessels were involved in securing the grain corridor. The agency believed that Kiev had used the corridor for an attack. The Ukrainian authorities accused Russia of blocking the grain export agreement on a spurious pretext.
By November 2, Russia received guarantees from Ukraine about “not using the humanitarian corridor and Ukrainian ports designated for the export of agricultural products for military operations,” on the basis of which Moscow resumed its participation in the deal. At the same time, Moscow will withdraw from the agreement if the attacks continue, President Vladimir Putin warned. He promised that Russia will supply food to the poorest countries even if it abandons the grain deal.
The grain deal expires on November 19, the UN said, expressing hope in the parties’ intention to extend it.