Vladimir Putin to discuss Ukraine conflict and grain initiative during rare visit to NATO-ally Turkey

This visit to Erdogan marks Putin's first trip to a NATO member country since Russia's annexation of Ukraine in February 2022. As Reuters informs, Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan has said that the leaders will address the war in Ukraine and the Black Sea grain initiative that officially ended in 2023.

Ankara attempted to persuade Russia to revert to the agreement negotiated between Turkey and the United Nations to ensure the safe export of Ukrainian grain via the Black Sea. As per Russia's statement in July 2023, they withdrew from this agreement and expressed disinterest in reconciliation.

Fidan has emphasized that Turkey engages with Ukraine and Russia to revitalize the agreement. He highlighted Ankara's commitment to maintaining "sustained, regular" communication with Moscow on various fronts, from energy concerns to political disagreements over regional conflicts in Syria, Libya, and the South Caucasus.

"We have always defended Ukraine's territorial sovereignty and will continue to do so. Nonetheless, the destructive impact of war has to conclude somehow," Fidan said.

As a NATO member, Turkey shares a maritime boundary with Ukraine and Russia via the Black Sea. Since the inception of the Moscow-Kiev conflict, Ankara has striven to maintain positive relations with both nations. It has offered military aid to Ukraine and advocated for its territorial rights while simultaneously challenging sanctions against Russia imposed by the EU and the US.

Putin's spokesman, Dmitry Peskov, as quoted by the Russian agency TASS, revealed that the upcoming meeting between the Russian and Turkish leaders would address the entirety of trade relations with Turkey. The topic of establishing a gas hub in Turkey and negotiating a discount on Russian gas is expected to be broached.

Source: Reuters