Erdogan to Putin: Time to establish safe corridor for Ukraine grain exports

 

Turkish, Russian presidents discuss the establishment of Ukraine grain corridors and developments in northern Syria in a phone call.

Türkiye's President Erdogan reiterates that the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine should end. (AA)

Türkiye’s president and his Russian counterpart discussed the establishment of safe corridors for grain exports in the Black Sea and the latest developments in northern Syria, the Turkish Communications Directorate has said.

During their Monday phone call, Recep Tayyip Erdogan told Vladimir Putin that it is time to take action regarding the UN's plan to establish safe corridors in the Black Sea for grain exports.

Furthermore, Erdogan reiterated that the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine should be ended with a lasting and just peace through negotiations.

Türkiye is ready to contribute to the negotiation process, the president added.

Millions of tonnes of wheat and other grains are currently stuck in Ukrainian and Russian-occupied ports.

Western and Russian officials have been warning of a global food crisis due to the conflict in Ukraine and sanctions on Russia.

Russia and Ukraine, major global grain exporters, last year had a share of approximately 30 percent of world wheat exports.

 

Syria aid corridor

Erdogan also emphasised the importance of extending the cross-border aid mechanism in Syria, the directorate said in a statement.

The Turkish-Syria border at the Bab al Hawa crossing is the only way UN assistance can reach civilians without navigating areas controlled by Syrian regime forces.

Russia, an ally of the Syrian regime, used its veto power on the UN Security Council last week to strike down Western proposals to keep the border crossing open for another year.

According to the UN, more than 2.4 million Syrians benefit from humanitarian aid delivered through Bab al Hawa every month.

Last year, more than 9,500 trucks carrying food aid, medicine and goods entered Syria through the crossing.

The UN has been aiding millions of Syrians through multiple border crossings since 2014, but from 2020, the council reduced the entry points to just one, leaving Bab al Hawa as the only option.

Source: TRTWorld and agencies 

Social media is bold.

Social media is young.

Social media raises questions.

 Social media is not satisfied with an answer.

Social media looks at the big picture.

 Social media is interested in every detail.

social media is curious.

 Social media is free.

Social media is irreplaceable.

But never irrelevant.

Social media is you.

(With input from news agency language)

 If you like this story, share it with a friend!  

We are a non-profit organization. Help us financially to keep our journalism free from government and corporate pressure