Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov stressed that “Turkish-Russian relations are based on friendship and coordination.” He pointed out that “there are threats to the security and stability of Russia, and provided information and developments on this issue to the Turkish side.”

Lavrov stressed during a press conference with his Turkish counterpart Mevlut Cavusoglu in Ankara that “Turkey is trying to take Ukrainian grain out of the ports, but Ukrainian forces are preventing it from being taken out”, and stated that “Ukrainian wheat is important in the markets, but is only 1 percent of the total volume of trade in the world market.

He noted: “We are ready to take the necessary steps to end the crisis of Ukrainian grain carriers,” and continued: “Ukraine must remove sea mines from ports and sea lanes in front of cargo ships.”

“We attach great importance to Turkey’s legitimate concerns in Syria and are working together to withdraw the terrorists,” Lavrov said. He also said: “We can reach common ground on the Libyan issue, despite the differences,” and added: “In our military operations in Ukraine, we focus on protecting our borders without harming the civilian population.”

The Russian Foreign Minister arrived in Turkey on Tuesday evening to discuss the creation of sea routes that would allow the export of Ukrainian grain through the Black Sea.