Turkey reaps rewards in international standing as first grain ship leaves Ukraine
Turkey's diplomatic mediation between Ukraine and Russia could mitigate impact of global food crisis.
ISTANBUL — The first grain ship to leave Ukraine since the Russian invasion departed from the port of Odesa on Monday under a deal brokered by Turkey and the United Nations last month.
The apparent success of the July 22 agreement between Ukraine, Russia, Turkey and the UN raised Ankara’s standing on the world stage, as well as that of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, according to analysts.
Facing an economic crisis and a looming election, the Turkish leader will welcome the positive media coverage that comes with playing such a central role in arranging a successful accord between the belligerent parties.
“The agreement is playing [in]to Erdogan’s hands,” said Kerim Has, a Turkish political analyst based in Moscow. “The major role of Turkey in securing the first agreement between the warring sides in Istanbul is important for Turkish prestige and for Erdogan personally.”
