Over 32 million tonnes of grain have been transported through the Black Sea grain corridor since August 2022, according to Turkish Transport and Infrastructure Minister Abdulkadir Uraloğlu. The grain was primarily shipped to China, Spain, Türkiye, and Italy, with a notable increase in shipments to African countries. Out of the 987 vessels loaded with grain, 290 were of Turkish origin. The resumption of grain exports from Ukraine’s Black Sea ports was facilitated by an agreement between Russia and Ukraine, mediated by Türkiye and the United Nations, following a conflict between the two countries in February 2022.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said peace talks between Russia and Ukraine have been suspended, noting that while communication channels remain open, “it would be more accurate to say there has been a pause.”
Peskov accused European countries of obstructing dialogue but insisted Moscow remains ready for negotiations.
Russia and Ukraine held three rounds of direct talks this year in Istanbul, leading to prisoner exchanges but little progress toward ending the war.
TR