Russian media: Putin and Erdogan may discuss grain deal
Russian President Vladimir Putin and President Tayyip Erdogan may soon discuss the United Nations (UN)-brokered grain deal, which allows for the resumption of grain exports from Ukraine’s Black Sea ports blocked by the war.
The news, which the Russian agency RIA Novosti based on a source close to the issue, indicated that the leaders could meet soon, but the date has not yet been determined.
On Friday, Ukraine announced that negotiations on the extension of the grain corridor agreement are expected to start within a week.
The deal is supposed to be renewed in March, but Russia, signaling that it is dissatisfied with some elements of the deal for a while, is demanding that sanctions affecting agricultural products be lifted.
Speaking to Reuters during the Munich Security Conference on Saturday, David Beasley, director of the United Nations (UN) World Food Program (WFP), said not renewing the grain deal would be a disaster as millions in Africa they are on the brink of starvation. .
Beasley also asserted that current shipments made under the agreement are far below the needs of poor countries.