Erdogan Seeks Mechanism for Black Sea Safety Amid Escalating Grain Crisis

Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan emphasized the need for a mechanism to ensure the safety of commercial maritime transport in the Black Sea, warning that a grain crisis could escalate further.

Erdogan made the comments on his return flight from a trip to Kyrgyzstan, where he met with Russian President Vladimir Putin and discussed the situation in the Black Sea.

The Black Sea Grain Initiative, mediated by Turkey and the United Nations in 2022, allowed for the safe export of nearly 33 million metric tons of Ukrainian grain via the Black Sea. However, Russia withdrew from the agreement in 2023, citing obstacles to its own food and fertilizer exports.

Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Alexander Grushko stated that Moscow sees no grounds for the Black Sea grain agreement to resume, while Erdogan emphasized the importance of resolving the issue before it's too late.