Turkish Foreign Minister Discusses Grain Agreement with Russian Counterpart

The Russian Foreign Ministry indicated today, Sunday, that there was a phone discussion between Minister Sergey Lavrov and his Turkish counterpart Hakan Fidan regarding the Ukrainian situation and the grain export agreement via the Black Sea. Moscow threatens to withdraw from the agreement that allows the safe export of grain and fertilizers from Ukrainian ports due to unmet demands related to its own grain and fertilizer shipments. The agreement is set to expire on July 17. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan stated yesterday, Saturday, that he is pressuring Russia to extend the agreement, which was brokered by Ankara and the United Nations last year, for at least three more months.