Talks between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan started on Monday with the Turkish chief looking for to steer Russia to revive an settlement that allowed Ukraine to export grain and different commodities from three Black Sea ports.

Putin in July refused to increase the settlement, which was brokered by Turkey and the United Nations a 12 months earlier.

Russia complained {that a} parallel deal promising to take away obstacles to Russian exports of meals and fertilizer hadn’t been honored. It stated restrictions on transport and insurance coverage hampered its agricultural commerce though it has shipped file quantities of wheat since final 12 months.

Opening the talks, Putin stated he was open to discussing the grain deal, amongst different points.

The two leaders met in Russia’s Black Sea resort of Sochi, the place the Russian president has a residence. Lots is using on the talks for the world meals provide.

The assembly takes place in opposition to a backdrop of greater than 18 months of struggle and Ukraine’s current counteroffensive.

In the newest growth, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated Sunday that Defense Minister Oleksii Reznikov would get replaced this week. The job requires “new approaches,” Zelenskyy stated, with out elaborating. Reznikov on Monday printed a photograph of his resignation letter.

Since Putin withdrew from the grain initiative, Erdogan has repeatedly pledged to resume preparations that helped keep away from a meals disaster in components of Africa, the Middle East and Asia. Ukraine and Russia are main suppliers of wheat, barley, sunflower oil and different items that growing nations depend on.

“My gut feeling is that Putin recognizes the leverage he has by using food as an economic weapon, and thus will fight for all he can get in terms of concessions on his wish-list,” stated Tim Benton, a meals safety professional on the Chatham House assume tank.

Those could embody Russia’s grains, or fertilizer exports, or wider points, he stated.

Data from the Joint Coordination Center in Istanbul, which organized the Ukraine shipments, exhibits that 57% of the grain from Ukraine went to growing nations, with the highest vacation spot being China, which obtained practically 1 / 4 of the meals.

Russia has repeatedly attacked the Odesa area, Ukraine’s principal Black Sea port space. On Monday, the Ukrainian air drive stated it intercepted 23 of 32 drones that focused the Odesa and Dnipropetrovsk areas, however didn't specify injury attributable to the drones that bought by way of.

The Turkish president has maintained shut ties to Putin through the 18-month struggle in Ukraine. Turkey hasn’t joined Western sanctions in opposition to Russia following its invasion, rising as a principal buying and selling companion and logistical hub for Russia’s abroad commerce.

NATO member Turkey, nonetheless, has additionally supported Ukraine, sending arms, assembly Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and backing Kyiv’s bid to affix NATO.

Erdogan angered Moscow in July when he allowed 5 Ukrainian commanders to return residence. The troopers had been captured by Russia and handed over to Turkey on situation they continue to be there in the course of the struggle.

Putin and Erdogan - authoritarian leaders who've each been in energy for greater than twenty years - are stated to have a detailed rapport, fostered within the wake of a failed coup in opposition to Erdogan in 2016 when Putin was the primary main chief to supply his assist.

The Sochi summit follows talks between the Russian and Turkish overseas ministers on Thursday, throughout which Russia handed over a listing of actions that the West must take to ensure that Ukraine’s Black Sea exports to renew.

Erdogan has indicated sympathy with Putin’s place. In July, he stated Putin had “certain expectations from Western countries” over the Black Sea deal and that it was “crucial for these countries to take action in this regard.”

U.N. Secretary-General António Guterres just lately despatched Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov “concrete proposals” aimed toward getting Russian exports to international markets and permitting the resumption of the Black Sea initiative. But Lavrov stated Moscow wasn’t happy with the letter.

Describing Turkey’s “intense” efforts to revive the settlement, Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan stated it was a “process that tries to better understand Russia’s position and requests, and to meet them.”

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