Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said today, Saturday, that he hopes the agreement for the export of Ukrainian grain via the Black Sea will be extended after its expiration on July 17. He added in remarks made in Istanbul following a meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, "Turkey will continue its efforts to end the Ukrainian war through negotiations and will support the reconstruction of Ukraine," noting that Ukraine deserves NATO membership.
On another note, he revealed that Russian President Vladimir Putin will visit Turkey next month, and he will discuss Ukrainian prisoners held by Russia. Zelensky, for his part, highlighted cooperation with Turkey in defense, drone production, and importation. He accused Russia of obstructing the passage of ships in the Black Sea, emphasizing the importance of this agreement, especially for African countries.
