Turkish Defense Minister Hulusi Akar on Tuesday discussed Russia and Ukraine’s concerns over the Istanbul grain trade deal.
As per the Anadolu agency report, Hulusi Akar stated, “Yesterday, we had a phone call with (Russian Defense Minister Sergei) Shoygu. They said that they were uncomfortable with the explosions and that it was against the agreement and that they could not allow transportation under these conditions.”
He further added that Istanbul has conveyed Russian concerns to Ukraine.
Akar went on to say that all sides should be cautious about protecting the agreement and that Türkiye is hoping to see it extended.
He stated that as part of the agreement, Türkiye accepted more than 10 million tons of Ukrainian grain exported to the rest of the world.
On July 22, Türkiye, the United Nations, Russia, and Ukraine reached a deal in Istanbul to continue Black Sea grain exports, which had been halted since the beginning of the Russia-Ukraine war in February.
A Joint Coordination Center in Istanbul was established with authorities from the 3 nations and the UN to oversee the consignments.
Russia on Saturday announced its suspension from the grain trade deal causing concerns to other parties however, Türkiye continues to take the necessary steps with all parties to resolve issues related to the deal’s implementation.
