The Russian Presidency (Kremlin) confirmed that “there are no real discussions on the issue of Russian grain exports and the lifting of sanctions against Russia”, noting that “the sanctions must be lifted to allow the export of Russian grains. “

She stressed that “any meeting between Russian President Vladimir Putin and his Ukrainian counterpart Vladimir Zelensky must be well prepared and fruitful,” noting that “the West is pushing Russia to refrain from paying debts, despite the absence of objective reasons for this.” . then.” .

Today, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov arrived in Turkey to discuss the creation of sea routes that would allow the export of Ukrainian grain through the Black Sea. “Ukrainian forces prevent their exit,” and added: “We are ready to take the necessary steps to end the Ukrainian grain cargo crisis. Ukraine must remove sea mines from ports and sea lanes in front of cargo ships.”

The President of Ukraine has previously indicated that “Turkey is looking for a form of security guarantees to end the blockade of Ukrainian ports and can become an intermediary in this process.” Today, the director of the Ukrainian Merchant Union returns and believes that “Turkey does not have enough strength to guarantee the export of grain through the Black Sea”, pointing out that “we need Turkish and Romanian navies to clear our ports. “

French President Emmanuel Macron also confirmed that “in a short period, under the auspices of the UN and with the assistance of Turkey, 20 million tons of Ukrainian grain will be exported”, and added: “Positive results have been obtained from the negotiations between Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan” and his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin on the export of wheat outside Ukraine.

The situation in Ukraine and the wide-ranging sanctions imposed on Russia by the United States and the European Union have led to disruptions in the supply of grain, increasing the risks of a food crisis in many countries of the world.

Turkey is among the countries affected by the Russian military operation in Ukraine, which exports to the world market about a quarter of world wheat exports, 80 percent of sunflower oil supplies and more than 15 percent of fertilizers.