Zelensky to meet Erdoğan in İstanbul

Photo: AA (archieve)

Click to read the article in Turkish

Ukraine's president Volodymyr Zelensky is coming to Turkey today upon the invitation of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. 

Erdoğan and Zelensky are going to meet in İstanbul.

The two are expected to discuss the bilateral relations between the two countries, the last developments in the Russia-Ukraine war, the Black Sea Grain Initiative to expire on July 17, and peace and stability in the Black Sea region in their bilateral talks and the talks to be held between the delegations of the two countries. 

What happened?

The war that started with the invation of Ukraine by Russia on February 24, 2022 resulted in Ukraine not being able to export its grain to the world due to the blockade by Russia on the ports causing widespread concern that the war will result in a food crisis besides an energy crisis. 

The grain corridor deal signed under the auspices of the United Nations (UN) and Turkey on July 22, 2022, was extended, first on November 2022. 

The deal was extended three more times and until July 18 the last time. However, a statement by the Foreign Ministry of Russia had firmly stated that they see no reason for extending the deal again. (NT/PE)