US Secretary of State Antony Blinken made statements regarding the Black Sea Grain Corridor Agreement, which expired on July 17. “We expect Turkey to reassert the leadership role it already assumed in the Grain Deal to get this business back on track to ensure that people around the world can get the food they need at affordable prices,” Blinken said.
Criticizing Russia’s withdrawal from the grain deal and stating that Ukraine needs humanitarian aid, Blinken said, “I hope the world is watching this and see how Russia cynically manipulates food to achieve its goals in Ukraine.”
“WE CAN’T STOP TAKE THE INITIATIVE”
On the other hand, President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan answered the questions of journalists on the plane returning from the Gulf and the TRNC. Pointing out that the termination of the Black Sea Grain Initiative will increase global food prices, as well as have a series of effects ranging from famine in some regions to new immigration waves, Erdoğan said, “We will not hesitate to take the initiative to prevent this. I believe that we will ensure the continuation of this humanitarian movement by talking to Mr. Putin in detail. We know that he also has some expectations from Western countries. “After the crisis, we have prevented a global food crisis that will have much more severe consequences. It is for the good of humanity that such an initiative, which is so vital due to its consequences, continues.”
“I WILL MEET WITH MR. PUTIN”
“We will use all the instruments of diplomacy and concentrate all our efforts on this issue,” Erdogan said, continuing his words as follows:
“A reconciliation that serves humanity in the war environment has been reached and we will do our best to continue it. I will hold my meetings with Mr. Putin on my return to Turkey. First of all, we will use telephone diplomacy. If Mr. Putin’s planned visit in August takes place, we will discuss these matters in detail. I believe that we will ensure the continuation of the Black Sea Grain Initiative before the process is prolonged.”