Dubai – Al Arabiya.net
Posted on: August 09, 2023: 02:10 AM GST Last updated: August 09, 2023: 02:16 AM GST
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan considered on Tuesday evening that finding a solution to the issue of transporting Ukrainian grain in the Black Sea remains “dependent on Western countries, which must fulfill their promises.”
“I think a solution can be reached,” he said, referring to his recent phone call to Russian President Vladimir Putin, who refused to extend the agreement after it expired on July 17, noting that it was signed under the auspices of Ankara and the United Nations.
“Last week, during my phone conversation with Mr. Putin, we took note of Russia’s demands,” the Turkish president added to the ambassadors’ conference in Ankara.
He considered that “the solution to this problem depends on Western countries respecting their promises. No measures were taken that would have transformed the positive atmosphere created by the Black Sea initiative into a cease-fire, and then into a permanent peace agreement.”
Erdogan stressed, “Our position here is clear. If the war extends to the Black Sea, it will be a disaster for our region.”
Last week, the Turkish president called on his Russian counterpart to “avoid escalation.”
It is noteworthy that the grain deal stopped on July 18, and Russia notified Turkey, Ukraine and the United Nations of its objection to extending it.
Russian President Vladimir Putin indicated, earlier, that the terms of the agreement with Russia had not been adhered to, despite the efforts of the United Nations, because Western countries would not fulfill their promises.
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2023-08-08 22:10:00
