
Turkey will play a very important role in terms of grain exports from Ukrainian ports.
In talks with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Russian President Vladimir Putin said Russia is ready to facilitate unhindered grain exports from Ukrainian ports in coordination with Turkey.
" During the discussion of the situation in Ukraine, emphasis was placed on ensuring safe navigation in the Black and Azov Seas and eliminating the threat of mines in their waters. Vladimir Putin noted the readiness of the Russian side to facilitate unimpeded maritime transit "This also applies to the export of grain from Ukrainian ports, " the Kremlin said in a statement.
According to Reuters, Putin added that if sanctions are lifted, then Russia can export significant volumes of fertilizers and agricultural products. Ports across Ukraine are filled with more than 20 million metric tons of grain and corn that have nowhere to go, with Russia blocking the Black Sea coast and exit routes for Ukrainian grain.
Ukraine once exported most of its goods through seaports, but since Russia invaded the country, it has been forced to export by train or through its small ports on the Danube River. As a result, global wheat prices rose 20% in March, due to the direct impact of the war on wheat production, with the world facing a worsening state of food insecurity and malnutrition, at a time when 42 million people were already a step away from hunger.