Russian, Ukrainian Military Delegations To Meet In Istanbul Over Grain-Export Crisis

Military delegations from Russia and Ukraine are gathering in Istanbul on July 13 to meet with UN and Turkish officials in an attempt to break a crucial impasse over grain exports that has sent global food prices soaring.

The planned four-day meeting comes against the backdrop of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and its seizure of ports on the Black Sea that were previously used to export Ukrainian wheat.

While prices have caused hardships in most developed nations, many poorer countries, such as those in much of Africa, have been hit by widening food shortages.

Ukraine has been a major exporter of wheat and grain such as barley and maize. It has also supplied nearly half of all sunflower oil to global markets.

Many in Ukraine and the West have accused Moscow of attempting to export grain it has stolen from Ukrainian farmers in regions under its control.

Diplomats have said a plan being discussed includes having Ukrainian vessels guiding grain ships in and out through port waters that its forces have mined to prevent a feared amphibious assault by Russian forces.

The plan would also entail Russia agreeing to a truce while shipments move and Turkey — with UN assistance — would inspect ships to allay Russian fears of weapons smuggling.

UN chief Antonio Guterres on July 12 sought to downplay expectations for the Istanbul talks, telling reporters that “we are working hard indeed, but there is still a way to go.”

Turkish Defense Minister Hulusi Akar said the talks will focus “on the safe shipment to international markets of grain waiting in Ukrainian ports.”

Despite being a member of NATO, Ankara has maintained good relations with the Kremlin.

Turkey said it has 20 merchant ships waiting in the Black Sea region that could be quickly loaded with grain and moved on to world markets.

Ukraine has estimated that up to 25 million tons of grain are currently blocked in its ports.

Ukraine’s recapture of tiny-but-strategic Snake Island in the Black Sea from Russian forces has enabled Kyiv to start its first shipments along the nearby Danube River running to Romania. /VOA