Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has expressed a desire to revive the Black Sea grain agreement in an "expanded scope," calling on Western countries to help transform this initiative into a foundation for peace between russia and Ukraine.
"We had another chance to learn first hand russia’s demands and expectations during a phone call with russian President vladimir putin," said Erdogan, adding that both leaders shared a "sensitivity" on the need for grain to reach Africa.
Erdogan stated that negotiations are ongoing to relaunch the initiative "with an expanded scope", but the decision depends on whether "Western countries fulfil their promises," he added, without specifying exactly what commitments had been violated.
"Unfortunately in the previous period the principle of loyalty wasn’t observed. No diplomatic steps were taken to turn the positive atmosphere created by the Black Sea initiative into a cease-fire and then permanent peace," the Turkish leader reported.
Last week, Erdogan and putin spoke on the phone for the first time since russia's withdrawal from the grain agreement to discuss the planned visit of the country's leader to Turkey at the end of this month.
Background. Erdogan stated that Turkey was ready to process russian grain into flour for impoverished African countries.