Turkish Foreign Minister meets Zelensky to discuss grain deal

2023-08-25 16:23:00

Turkey intends to remain the privileged intermediary between Russians and Ukrainians. The head of his diplomacy Hakan Fidan went to kyiv on Friday to meet Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, as confirmed by the respective authorities of the two countries.

How Ukraine manages to export its wheat despite the war

Volodymyr Zelensky said on Telegram that he mentioned during the meeting the ” risks posed by the Russian blockade of the grain corridor in the Black Sea ». « Our Minister was received in kyiv by the Ukrainian Head of State Volodymyr Zelensky “, soberly declared the Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs on social networks.

In mid-July, Russia’s exit from the grain export agreement cast a chill over trade in the Black Sea and the grain market, which is vital for many Arab and African countries. This agreement had made it possible for almost a year to bring out, despite the war, millions of tonnes of Ukrainian cereals by sea.

kyiv seeks crossroads for its grains

Kyiv is now looking to maintain its grain exports, which Ukrainian farmers are managing to maintain production. However, the country saw a large part of its port facilities on the shores of the Black Sea, the main means of export, being destroyed by Russian bombardments. Currently, according to Agritel, 30% of the port capacities of the Black Sea are at a standstill and 50% are considered to be at risk. Ukraine therefore had to develop alternative routes to export its grain.

Maritime transport has in fact been partly replaced by land transport, with roads and railways now representing 0.35 million tonnes per month, thanks to a solidarity corridor set up by Europe. which abolished customs duties for Ukrainian products. On the other hand, by river, via the Danube which reaches 1.3 million tonnes transiting per month. In particular, Ukraine has developed two port infrastructures located on the river, the ports of Reni and Izmaïl which allow smaller boats to reach Constanţa in Romania so that their cargo is then loaded onto larger ships.

Waiting to reopen grain trade in the Black Sea

But the proliferation of Russian bombardments on cereal, storage and transport infrastructure has forced Ukraine to find partners to boost its exports, including via the Black Sea. On these waves, she recently defied Moscow with the voyage of a Hong Kong-flagged cargo ship, which was not attacked by Russia despite its threats. In parallel, kyiv also carried out several attacks on Russian ships in the Black Sea, including an oil tanker, and in turn threatened ships heading for Russian ports and those occupied by Moscow.

The world’s largest wheat exporter, Russia might be challenged by France in North Africa

Since the start of the Russian invasion in February 2022, Turkey has played the mediator between the two warring countries, notably overseeing the cereal agreement abandoned by Russia. However, relations with Moscow cooled following Ankara handed over commanders of the ultra-nationalist Azov regiment to Ukraine. President Vladimir Putin nevertheless asked in early August for Turkey’s support to export cereals from the very large Russian harvest, whose deliveries are hampered because of Western sanctions.

Ukrainian cereals: five EU countries want import restrictions extended

Poland, Romania, Slovakia, Hungary and Bulgaria are calling for extending restrictions on Ukrainian grain imports, implemented to protect their farmers. ” We support an extension of the import ban (of Ukrainian grain) in our countries until the end of the year “, announced Friday the Polish Minister of Agriculture Robert Telus.

The European Commission had authorized these five states at the beginning of June to extend until September 15 their restrictive measures aimed at blocking the marketing of Ukrainian wheat, corn, rapeseed and sunflower on their territory, which according to the farmers of these countries is causing the collapse prices in local markets. Poland has warned that if the EU does not give the green light to an extension of restrictions, it will impose them unilaterally. ” Poland will definitely do it, Hungary will definitely do it “, assured Robert Telus.