Ankara, which is taking care of its image as a facilitator between Moscow and kyiv, hopes to contribute to a negotiated solution for the resumption of grain exports from Ukrainian ports. According to Anadolu, the official Turkish news agency, Russia, Turkey and Ukraine have managed to draw up a roadmap with the aim of opening a “grain corridor” between Ukrainian ports and world markets.
A “watching mechanism” is under study, which could lead the Turkish Navy to escort bulk carriers from Ukraine. Sponsored by the United Nations, this humanitarian operation could allow up to 20 million tons of cereals to come out of silos and sheds, according to the Turkish side.
The head of Russian diplomacy, Sergei Lavrov, is thus expected by his Turkish counterpart, Mevlüt Cavusoglu, in Ankara, Wednesday, June 8, for discussions on the resumption of Ukrainian grain exports, suspended due to the blockade of the Black Sea imposed by Russia. The war started by Moscow in Ukraine has paralyzed the food exports of the two belligerents, major wheat producers, raising fears of a major food crisis, particularly in Africa.
While Ukrainian grain stocks are blocked in silos or on bulk carriers in Ukrainian ports – Mariupol and Berdiansk – controlled by the Russian army, Russian exports of grain and fertilizers are slowed down by Western sanctions as well as by the security situation in the Black Sea.
Mr Cavusoglu is counting on the creation of a “corridor observation center” in Istanbul and wants to believe that Russia is ready to make concessions to allow the free movement of goods in the Black Sea. This is evidenced by the fact that the Russian foreign minister will be accompanied, during his working visit to Ankara, by soldiers who are supposed to talk with their Turkish counterparts about the opening of secure maritime routes.
Theft allegations
Grain transportation will not be the only subject discussed. Syria will also be discussed, where Mr. Erdogan plans to launch a new offensive to drive out the Syrian Kurds, whom he believes must eradicate because of their affiliation with the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK, separatist), banned in Turkey. The Kremlin will certainly give its approval, as it has done in the past. But at what cost ?
Unblocking trade routes in the Black Sea is possible provided kyiv and Moscow come to an agreement. However, for the time being, the two belligerents are at loggerheads, leaving little chance for a negotiated solution, whatever Turkish diplomacy says, rather confident about the outcome of its mediation. The Ukrainian government is sickened by the behavior of Russia, which plunders Ukrainian cereals in the occupied territories in order to export them, in particular to Lebanon and Syria.
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