Turkish Defense Minister Hulusi Akar said that “there is a general consensus among the authorities concerned to establish an operations center in the state of Istanbul to oversee the evacuation of grain ships from Ukrainian ports.”

In his statement, he indicated that he continues negotiations in this context with his Russian counterparts Sergei Shoigu and Ukrainian Alexei Reznikov, in line with the diplomatic efforts of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan to prevent a global food crisis.

Akar said: “Turkey is clearly continuing its relationship with both sides of the war, Russia and Ukraine, and is striving at all levels to establish peace and stability and achieve a ceasefire,” noting that “the recent military talks between Turkey and Russia took place in a positive atmosphere, and that concerned officials are discussing issues that will benefit the region, Ukraine, and Russia at the same time.”

He indicated that “meetings are ongoing with Ukraine, Russia and the UN to ensure safe access for grain carriers stuck in Ukrainian ports,” stressing that “much progress has been made in this regard and there is a general consensus on the establishment of an operations center in Istanbul.”