Any attempt to isolate Russia on grain deal ‘bound to fail’: Erdogan

New Delhi, Sep 10 (EFE).- Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said on Sunday that Russia must not be isolated in attempts to revive the Black Sea grain deal.

“We believe that any attempt to isolate Russia is bound to fail. Its success has few chances. We believe that any steps leading to escalated tensions in the Black Sea should be avoided,” Erdogan told reporters after the G20 summit in the Indian capital.

Russia withdrew from the deal in July, which aimed to export Ukrainian grain through the Black Sea and was brokered by the United Nations and Turkey last year.

Moscow claimed that Western sanctions were targeting its domestic fertilizer and agriculture exports and called for an end to certain sanctions to revive the Black Sea Grain Initiative.

Turkey has consistently advocated for the revival of the Black Sea Initiative, which for a year allowed the safe passage of food exports from Ukraine, one of the world’s leading grain producers.

The Turkish president traveled to Russia this month for talks with his Russian counterpart, Vladimir Putin, to get the deal back on track.

He recalled that following the visit, the Russian leader accused Western nations of not fulfilling their part of the commitment.

Erdogan said he had not lost hope and would continue his efforts to revive the grain deal and continue discussing it with Russia and Ukraine.

The Turkish president announced that he would be meeting with representatives from Russia, Ukraine, and the UN for another round of talks to revive the initiative.

However, he did not specify the date or location for the next round of talks on reviving the key deal.

Erdogan mentioned that Russia was willing to send free grain to poorer countries, which Turkey supports.

He also announced Turkish plans to establish a Food Supply Security Study Group involving Russia, Ukraine, the United Nations, and other international stakeholders to address global food security and supply issues.

“We are going to bring together the Food Supply Security Study Group, with Russia, Ukraine, the UN, and other international partners participating,” he said. EFE

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