Zelensky and Erdoğan agree to work toward restoring Black Sea Grain Corridor
Volodymyr Zelensky and Recep Tayyip Erdoğan agreed to work on opening and improving the Black Sea Grain Corridor. Their talks in Istanbul also focused on securing maritime navigation and restoring normal conditions in the Black Sea region.
Key points
- Zelensky and Erdoğan agreed to work on reopening and improving the Black Sea Grain Corridor
- Zelensky announced the agreement after their talks in Istanbul
- Ankara continues negotiations with Kyiv and Moscow on restoring safe maritime navigation
- Ukraine and Türkiye discussed proposals to protect shipping and normalize conditions in the Black Sea region
- The Black Sea Grain Initiative was signed in July 2022 and lasted one year
- Russia withdrew from the grain agreement in July 2023
Why it matters
Restoring and expanding the maritime grain corridor could increase Ukraine's export capacity. Türkiye's involvement in talks with both Kyiv and Moscow may help address the security of navigation, which is essential for the corridor's stable operation.
What happened
Zelensky and Erdoğan agreed to work toward opening and improving the Black Sea Grain Corridor during a meeting in Istanbul. Ukraine and Türkiye also exchanged ideas and proposals concerning the protection of safe maritime navigation and the restoration of normal living conditions in the Black Sea region.
How Ukrainian sources describe it
Ukrainian coverage emphasizes the reopening and improved efficiency of the Black Sea Grain Corridor and the restoration of conditions for exports. It also highlights the deterioration of security in the Black Sea due to Russian aggression and Türkiye's support for Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity.