Turkey Seeks Black Sea Shipping Deal Amid Rising Tensions
Turkey is racing to find a solution to ensure safe passage for cargo ships in the Black Sea, as attacks on shipping disrupt grain exports and push up prices. Russia and Ukraine are major global wheat exporters, but their conflict has severely disrupted trade in the region.
The Turkish government is working with both sides to broker a deal, with Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan saying they are 'in touch' with Ukraine and Russia. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan also spoke with Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin about the issue.
Ukraine and Russia have been ramping up attacks on shipping and ports in the Black Sea, causing grain prices to rise sharply by as much as 30 percent. The tension is increasing more than ever before,' said international relations professor Huseyin Bagci of Ankara's Middle East Technical University.