ANKARA, June 21. /TASS/. Negotiations between Russia, Ukraine, Turkey and the UN on export of grain from Ukrainian ports will take place in Istanbul next week, Milliyet reported Tuesday, citing its sources in Turkish Presidential office.
Earlier Tuesday, the A Haber TV channel reported that Turkish National Defense Ministry delegation plans to travel to Russia this week to discuss the establishment of a safe corridor for export of agricultural products from Ukraine.
Meanwhile, last week, the TRT channel stated that Russia, Ukraine and Turkey established an emergency line of communication between defense ministers on export of grain from Ukrainian ports. According to the report, the sides will appoint representatives for this channel in the rank of general. The channel will be reportedly used for detailed discussion of grain export, which is supposed to take the process to its logical conclusion.
The issue of the "grain corridor" was discussed during the talks in Ankara by Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu. Russian President Vladimir Putin stated that Moscow guarantees free passage of ships with Ukrainian grain, if Kiev de-mines its ports, and can also ensure export of grain through ports under Russian control, such as Berdyansk and Mariupol. He noted that problems on global food market began back in February 2020, and called allegations of Russian blockade of grain in Ukrainian ports a bluff.
Turkish authorities announced that they can guarantee secure shipments of Ukrainian grain through the Black Sea. TRT reported citing sources in Turkish Presidential Administration that the mechanism for implementation of the grain shipment roadmap is ready for 80-90% and could be launched promptly, should corresponding agreements be achieved.