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Lavrov Arrives In Turkey For Talks On Grain Exports

June 07, 2022

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov has begun a two-day visit to Turkey, where he will hold talks on unblocking grain exports from Ukraine.

At the heart of the negotiations is the opening of a security corridor for ships carrying Ukrainian grain. Turkey has offered to escort maritime convoys from Ukraine's Black Sea ports, which have been blocked by Moscow's offensive.

Lavrov was scheduled on June 7 to meet with Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu for a continuation of talks that Turkish Defense Minister Hulusi Akar said have seen "significant progress" on a possible deal to allow grain exports.

Akar's remarks, quoted by state news agency Anadolu, came hours ahead of Lavrov's arrival.

Russia has seized large parts of Ukraine's coast since launching its invasion on February 24, and its warships control the Black Sea and the Azov Sea.

Russian President Vladimir Putin last week told Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan that Moscow was ready to work with Ankara to free up maritime shipping.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov on June 7 told reporters Ukraine still needed to demine its coast in order for grain exports to take place.

"This will allow ships, once checked by our military to make sure they are not carrying any weapons, to enter the ports, load grain, and with our help, proceed to international waters," he said.

Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu said that two major Ukrainian ports on the Azov Sea seized by Russian forces -- Berdyansk and Mariupol -- were ready to resume grain shipments, but added that Kyiv still must demine the approaches to its ports for exports to take place.

Ukraine's main port of Odesa remains blocked.

Russia's offensive in Ukraine has disrupted supplies of wheat and other commodities from the two countries, prompting concerns about the risk of food shortages and hunger around the world.

Based on reporting by AFP, Reuters, and dpa

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/lavrov-russia-turkey- talks-grains-exports/31887746.html

Copyright (c) 2022. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036.