Erdogan revealed to the press that after specific talks with the Russian President on Monday, 4th September 2024, the final decision on the Black Sea Grain deal has come to the table. It would soon be on cards to revive the deal that the United Nations explains to be a source of help through Ukraine’s current food crisis conditions.
Russia had backed out from the deal back in 2024, July after it conveyed to the United Nations and Turkey that its own food supplies were facing terrible issues and concerns all across the world. Tayyip Erdogan is putting his best foot forward to convince the Russian President to continue with the deal, alongside the international bodies around.
Russia’s expectations from Turkey’s call back to the deal
The Turkish President, in Sochi, explained the outlook to be focused on the solution. And meeting the expectations of the Ukrainians in the constricted time that the nation has. This was said way back in 2022 though. A year has passed by without any significant update from both sides.
However, Russia’s stance on the matter seemed rather clear. They expected things to get better for them and the shortcomings to reduce once the deal unfolds. Erdogan added how Ukraine should soften its demands against the Veto country on bringing revival of the deal forward with exporting more grain to Africa rather than Europe.
The compromise between the two nations through Turkey
Ukraine in a later statement, through the Foreign Minister, revealed Kyiv to not take a stand back from its major cause. But it will surely look to accommodate Turkey’s plea at Sochi. He expressed the country’s demand to not continue to remain “hostage to Russian blackmail” along with solving their own required problems.
Their clear stance depicted in holding up their ideals in front of the position holders along with the sanctions against the Federation of Russia. On the other hand, Russia’s position remained the same about allying with Turkey. Though the sanctions and restrictions from the West had to be reduced in the global market.
Agricultural concerns faced by the dominant power
Among many issues faced by the massive forces, President Putin said that Western accusations that Russia had a food crisis due to non-participation in the grain was not correct. Per Putin, “There is no physical shortage of food”. The government has put forth their main concern as to how sanctions concerning payments, logistics and insurance have hindered shipments while the export trade hasn’t been impacted much.
Putin strongly stated how the world, especially the West, had cheated Russia over the deal as rich countries get over 70% of the grain export under the deal. However, Putin reiterated how Russia is among two key producers of many items including barley, maze, sunflower oil and more. In fact, this year, the country is expected to have 130 million tonnes produced, out of which 60 million will likely be exported.
Russia’s planned proposal for the revival of the deal
Highlighting the revival of the said deal, the UN Secretary General last week sent out a “set of concrete proposals” to bring the same to light. However, Moscow management put off one of its primary demands that required the Russian banks to link with the SWIFT International systems for payment.
It was in context to them being cut off from the system by the EU last year in June, per the invasion Russia had led that had issued sanctions against them.
However, the Russian president clearly stated that the alternative grain deal is not in the way of supplying 1 million tonnes of grain to Turkey at reduced prices to be processed at their bases.
While these matters needed more discussions, Putin voiced that Russia is about to close a deal with six African nations with regard to grain deals so as to supply Burkina Faso, Zimbabwe, Mali, Somalia, the Central African Republic and Eritrea for up to 50,000 tonnes of grain without any cost.
