Erdogan and Putin had a telephone conversation, having agreed on the visit of the Russian leader to Turkey, Cumhuriyet writes. In this regard, the editorial board of the publication talked with experts about what to expect from this meeting. In their opinion, peace in Ukraine can come to the fore.
One of the results of the telephone conversation between Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Vladimir Putin was the upcoming visit of the Russian leader to Turkey. Director of the Ata Center for Strategic Studies Volkan Ozdemir expresses his expectations: "A new agreement on the grain corridor is possible." Retired Ambassador Uluch Ozulker notes: "Turkey is the only country capable of contacting Zelensky and Putin. The President of Russia can bring the world to the fore in a bilateral conversation."
The day before, a telephone conversation took place between Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Russian President Vladimir Putin. The media reflected information that the leaders discussed the Ukrainian conflict and the Black Sea grain initiative. The talks of the leaders in an interview with Cumhuriyet were commented on by the Director of the Ata Center for Strategic Studies (ATASAM) Volkan Özdemir and retired Ambassador Uluç Özülker.
"Russia's goal in the grain corridor was to be the largest supplier of food on the world market and ensure the delivery of wheat from Ukraine to its allies," Ozdemir said. However, grain, according to him, mainly went to Europe and brought income to Kiev, so Moscow did not extend the agreement, because "it did not want to make such a gesture for the sake of Ukraine and the EU."
Stressing that in order to extend the grain deal, Russia will require compliance with all the terms of the agreement, Ozdemir continued: "She will declare that the corridor has not reached its goal. It will be about the likelihood of reaching an agreement. In this case, it is possible to sign a new agreement on the grain corridor."
"Vital for Turkey"
The expert also recalled the attacks in the Black Sea after the termination of the grain agreement, noting: "It is vital for Turkey that peace reigns in the Black Sea, protected by the Montreux Straits Convention with strict compliance with its conditions, so that mitigating mediation and agreements such as the grain corridor contribute to reducing tensions. I don't think there will be a split in NATO. There are countries in the alliance that want the grain corridor agreement to continue, primarily the United States."
"The world can come to the fore"
According to the retired ambassador Uluch Ozulker, one of the reasons for Putin's visit to Turkey is the conflict in Ukraine. "Turkey is currently the only country capable of contacting Zelensky and Putin. Both presidents really trust Erdogan, so Putin can bring the world to the fore in a bilateral conversation."
Believing that Russia is preparing for a new global move, Ozulker noted: "Russia wants to direct grain exports to the Far East. The most important point from this point of view is the Black Sea. There is also a possibility of creating conditions in which the United States will be able to put pressure on Turkey to gain access to the Black Sea."
