Erdogan declares after meeting with Putin: Ukraine must “size” access it to restore grain deal

“to be able to take joint steps with Russia, Ukraine must ease its approach. Especially now, wheat that will be sent to less-developed African countries hit by poverty is important,” said Erdogan at a joint press conference with Putin after the meeting.

“Putin properly does not approve if 44% of wheat goes to European countries”, the Turkish leader added. Erdogan said Turkey has prepared a new proposal with the United Nations to restore the grain deal, which includes “significant improvements”.

“From the Turkish side, I believe we will soon be able to reach a solution that meets expectations (in terms of the wheat deal)”, he said.

The previous grain deal Russia withdrew from was mediated by Turkey and the United Nations. It lasted about a year and allowed billions of dollars of grain and wheat to pass safely from war - torn Ukraine through the Black Sea. /abcnews. al