Erdogan to meet Putin in Sochi as Turkey looks to save Ukraine grain deal
Revival of the vital grain deal will top the agenda of the Turkish and Russian presidents in Sochi, but experts believe Moscow's quick return to the agreement is unlikely.
ANKARA — Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan will travel to Sochi next week for a highly anticipated meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin, as Ankara speeds up its efforts to revive a key Black Sea deal that allowed Ukrainian grain to reach world markets.
In televised remarks on Monday, ruling Justice and Development Party spokesperson Omer Celik voiced hope that Erdogan’s visit would yield positive developments on the currently defunct Black Sea grain deal that allowed Ukraine’s foodstuff, particularly its grain, to reach world markets.
“He will pay a visit to Sochi in the upcoming days. We think that there will be new developments following this visit,” Celik told journalists, adding that the visit could lead to a new stage in efforts to revive the deal.
Celik didn’t provide a timeline for the visit, but Russian state media reported last week that the meeting would take place next Monday.
