Russian President Vladimir Putin told Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan during a phone conversation on Wednesday that the Black Sea Grain Initiative lost its meaning due to a complete absence of progress on implementation of the agreement's part that concerned Russia, the Kremlin said.
"Vladimir Putin outlined Russia's principled position in connection with the termination of the ‘package’ agreements on the export of Ukrainian grain from the Black Sea ports and the unblocking of supplies of Russian food and fertilizers. It was noted that the agreement's extension has lost its meaning in the conditions of a complete lack of progress in the implementation of the Russian part of the grain deal. The readiness to return to the Istanbul agreements was confirmed as soon as the West actually fulfills all the deal's obligations towards Russia," the Kremlin said in a statement.
The Russian president also told his Turkish counterpart that options for the supply of grain to countries in need are being worked out.
"It was emphasized that, taking into account the needs of the countries most in need of food, reliable options for the supply of Russian grain, including on a free-of-charge basis, are being worked out. This issue was substantively discussed at the second Russia-Africa summit recently held in St. Petersburg. The readiness for cooperation in this area with Turkey and other interested states was expressed," the Kremlin said.
The leaders also discussed bilateral trade, economic relations, cooperation in tourism, it added.
"Both sides have expressed satisfaction with sustainable increase of trade that almost doubled in 2022," the Kremlin said.
The Turkish president expressed gratitude to Russia's people and leadership for helping the country extinguish wildfires on the territory of Turkey, the statement also said.
During the call, Putin and Erdogan agreed to continue contacts on various levels, including within the framework of preparation to a possible meeting of the leaders, the Kremlin stated.