Erdogan thanks ‘dear friend’ Putin as Turkey extends Russia-Ukraine grain deal

ANKARA Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan announced on Wednesday that the Black Sea agreement that allows Ukraine, the world’s top grain supplier, to export to world markets will continue. The extension gives victory to the Turkish strongman, 11 days before a run-off vote against Kemal Kilicdaroglu.

Addressing his party in Ankara, Erdogan said Ukraine and Russia had agreed to extend the deal for two more months. With the efforts of our country, the support of our Russian friends and the contributions of our Ukrainian friends, it was decided to extend the agreement on the Black Sea Grain Corridor for two more months, he said, describing the agreement as crucial for global supply chains food. .

Erdogan described Putin as his dear friend as he thanked Putin, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres for the extension. I would like to express my gratitude to the president of Russia, my dear friend Mr. Putin, for his efforts in this process. I would also like to thank the President of Ukraine Mr. Zelenskyy for his constructive cooperation. I also thank the UN Secretary-General, Mr. Guterres, for his efforts in the process, he said.

The Black Sea Grains Initiative was brokered by Turkey and the United Nations last year after the Russian invasion disrupted exports from Ukraine, one of the world’s largest breadbaskets. The deal, which stoked fears of a global food crisis as grain prices soared, has been extended twice since it was agreed in July 2022.

The third extension announcement came as campaigns are ramping up again in Turkey. Erdogan and his main rival main opposition leader Kemal Kilicdaroglu both failed to pass the electoral threshold in the first round of the crucial presidential race. The two front-runners will face each other in a May 28 runoff to determine whether Erdogan will extend his authoritarian rule for another term or Western-friendly Kilicdaroglu will usher in a new era in the country.

Erdogan’s personal ties to Russian President Vladimir Putin have been raised several times by the Kilicdaroglu-led opposition during the election campaign. Last week, Kilicdaroglu accused Russia of producing fake sex videos that forced another presidential candidate to drop out of the race. The Kremlin categorically rejected the accusation, calling Kilicdaroglu’s sources “liars”.

Defending Putin, Erdogan attacked Kilicdaroglu for his accusations, saying his country’s ties to Russia are no less important than its ties to the United States.

Earlier this month, ahead of May 14 elections, Turkey’s energy minister announced that Russian energy giant Gazprom had agreed to defer part of Turkey’s natural gas payments, confirming earlier reports.

Citing that deal and other opaque deals between Erdogan and Russian President Vladimir Putin, Turkish opposition parties argued that the Kremlin was working to strengthen Erdogan’s hand as the Turkish president faces his toughest re-election bid in more than two years. decades in power, amid high inflation and a cost-of-living crisis.