Erdogan and Putin discussed the "grain deal", the head of the Russian Federation will pay a visit to Turkey

Baku/02.08.23/Turan: Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan held a telephone conversation with the head of the Russian Federation Vladimir Putin today. The leaders of the two countries agreed on Putin's visit to Turkey, Anadolu agency reports. In addition to issues of bilateral relations, they discussed  issues related to the situation in Ukraine.

Erdogan urged to avoid steps that could lead to an escalation of the Russian-Ukrainian conflict. The Turkish leader called the Black Sea grain initiative a "bridge of peace" and noted that its suspension for a long time will not benefit anyone and low-income countries in need of grain crops will suffer the most from this.

The Head of State noted that grain prices increased by 15 percent after the suspension of the grain deal, and during its implementation they decreased by 23 percent.

The President stressed that Turkey will continue its active efforts and use diplomacy to extend the Black Sea grain initiative.

On Wednesday, the press secretary of the President of Russia Dmitry Peskov announced when Moscow will be ready to resume the grain deal.

"Moscow is ready to immediately return to the grain deal. But after the conditions for Russia are met," Peskov stressed.

Earlier, Putin said that Russia demands the lifting of sanctions on the supply of grain and fertilizers of the Russian Federation to world markets, obstacles for banks and financial institutions of the country serving such supplies, the unblocking of Russian assets related to the agricultural sector.--- 0---