Ankara working with Moscow for grain shipment from Russian ports: Turkish president

Ankara is working with Moscow on grain shipment from Russian ports, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said on late Friday.

"The Razoni dry cargo ship passing through Istanbul was actually a first. Behind it, there are about 20 ships waiting at the ports. Above all, Russia is saying right now: 'We have the preparation, we have the strength to leave the ports. When will you mediate on this?’,” Erdogan told reporters on board the presidential plane following a one-day working visit to Russia.

"Our relevant ministries, primarily our Ministry of Commerce, are working quickly on this issue," he said.

On Friday, Erdogan and his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin met in Russia's coastal city of Sochi to discuss bilateral relations, regional and international issues.

The leaders underlined the need for "the full implementation of the Istanbul agreement, including the unimpeded export of Russia's grain, fertilizer and raw materials for their production."

On July 22, Türkiye, the UN, Russia, and Ukraine signed a deal in Istanbul to reopen three Ukrainian ports for exports of Ukraine grain, which had been stuck for months due to the Russia-Ukraine war, now in its sixth month.

Erdogan said Russia has 40 million tons of goods, adding that there are some countries who “spread rumors as if Türkiye had stopped the ships. There is no such thing."

He added all the ships will pass through Türkiye before reaching their final destination.

‘Unacceptable criticism’

Upon a question that Germany and France are targeting Türkiye by defending the claims of Greece, Erdogan said both Berlin and Paris have become an “instrument of Greek propaganda.”

"It is unacceptable to criticize our country with inaccurate assessments while condoning Greece's steps that disregard international law. Türkiye's position for Europe's stability and security is obvious. We have once again demonstrated this role as a pioneer in resolving the global grain crisis," he added.

Thanks to Türkiye's diplomatic efforts to unblock Ukraine grain exports, the first ship to leave Ukraine under the agreement, Sierra Leone-flagged cargo vessel Razoni, departed from Odesa carrying over 26,500 tons of corn, got security clearance in Istanbul, and is on its way to the Lebanese port of Tripoli, its final destination.

Three more ships, carrying over 58,000 tons of grain, on Friday departed Ukraine ports to reach their final destinations.

Erdogan stated there will be no winner in the Russia-Ukraine war, saying: "Despite the difficulties on the ground, I also maintain my strong belief that the crisis will be resolved at the negotiating table. I reminded Putin once again that we can host his meeting with [Ukrainian President Volodymyr] Zelenskyy."

Türkiye will continue to hold dialogue to contribute to regional and global peace, he added.

Erdogan said he believes that a cease-fire between Russia and Ukraine is possible "if parties really show sensitivity to promises made."

Türkiye, Russia to work against terror groups in Syria

Erdogan said he discussed with Putin the steps to be taken against terrorist organizations in Syria and agreed to take necessary steps to protect Syria’s territorial integrity.

"...we agreed on the decision to give the necessary response to our fight against these herds of murderers who attacked our soldiers, police, security forces and civilian citizens," Erdogan added.

He added Putin maintains fair approach toward Türkiye, adding: "He especially states that he will always be with us in the fight against terrorism."

Erdogan said that Putin told him: "If you prefer to solve these together with the [Syrian] regime as much as possible, it will be much more accurate."

"We say that right now our intelligence organization is already dealing with these issues with the Syrian intelligence, but the whole point is to get results. Although Türkiye's intelligence carries out work with Syrian intelligence, terror groups are still there in Syria. You need to support us in this matter. We also have an agreement on this matter," he added.

Since 2016, Ankara has launched a trio of successful anti-terror operations across its border in northern Syria to prevent the formation of a terror corridor and enable the peaceful settlement of residents: Euphrates Shield (2016), Olive Branch (2018), and Peace Spring (2019).

In its more than 35-year terror campaign against Türkiye, the PKK – listed as a terrorist organization by Türkiye, the US, and the European Union – has been responsible for the deaths of over 40,000 people, including women, children and infants. The YPG is the PKK's Syrian offshoot.