The July grain deal aimed to avert a global food crisis by ensuring the safe passage of ships entering and leaving Ukrainian ports, allowing them to export tens of millions of tonnes of grain. The agreement also facilitates Russian exports.
“The fact that grain shipments are going to the countries that apply these sanctions (against Moscow) bothers Mr. Putin. We also want grain shipments to start from Russia,” Erdogan told a conference release with his Croatian counterpart.
“The cereals that arrive under this cereal deal unfortunately go to rich countries, not poor countries,” Erdogan added.
On Wednesday, Russian President Putin proposed adding limits on Ukrainian grain exports.
UN and Russian officials met in Geneva on Wednesday to discuss Russian complaints that Western sanctions are hampering its grain and fertilizer exports despite the agreement, which was signed by Russia, the Ukraine, Turkey and the United Nations.
Ismini Palla, UN spokesperson for the Black Sea Grains Initiative, said the fall in world wheat prices in August was partly due to the resumption of exports from Ukraine, and that ensuring the supply of food and fertilizer was essential to maintain this trend.