Putin Thanks Erdogan For Grain Export Mediation

Last week, Istanbul hosted grain negotiations between military officials representing Turkey, Russia and Ukraine, as well as a UN delegation. The talks resulted in the parties agreeing to create a coordination center in Istanbul and continue grain negotiations.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has thanked his Turkish counterpart Recep Tayyip Erdogan for his mediating efforts in grain negotiations between Russia and Ukraine.

However, the Russian leader acknowledged that "not all issues" regarding the grain exports have been resolved yet.

"With your mediation, we have moved forward. Not all issues, however, have yet been resolved, but the fact that there is movement is already good," Putin said.

The Russian president highlighted that Russian-Turkish bilateral relations have improved "no matter what", with trade growing at a very significant pace.

The Turkish president, in turn, described the Russian position as "constructive" and "positive", noting that the result of grain negotiations is going to be discussed globally.

"During the recent Istanbul negotiations, the position taken by the Russian side was very positive and constructive. Of course, the outcome that we will receive as a result of these negotiations will undoubtedly be discussed throughout the world. I would like to thank you once again and hope that our negotiations will be productive," Erdogan told Putin.

Putin's remarks on grain exports come in the wake of Turkey mediating talks between Russian and Ukrainian officials regarding the issue of transportation of grain through the Black Sea. Last week, the first round of grain talks was held in Istanbul, with the parties agreeing to continue negotiations.

On Tuesday, Ukrainian Defense Minister Oleksii Reznikov said that Kiev views the ongoing negotiations in Turkey as a "chance" to unblock a part of its Black Sea coast to enable it to export grain to other countries.

Putin and Erdogan held talks on the sidelines of the Tehran summit, also discussing the Syrian settlement and the Karabakh issue, as well as bilateral relations.