Baku, August 7, AZERTAC

Ankara is working with Moscow on grain shipment from Russian ports, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said, according to Anadolu Agency.

"The Razoni dry cargo ship passing through Istanbul was actually a first. Behind it, there are about 20 ships waiting at the ports. Above all, Russia is saying right now: 'We have the preparation, we have the strength to leave the ports. When will you mediate on this?’,” Erdogan told reporters on board the presidential plane following a one-day working visit to Russia.

"Our relevant ministries, primarily our Ministry of Commerce, are working quickly on this issue," he said.

On Friday, Erdogan and his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin met in Russia's coastal city of Sochi to discuss bilateral relations, regional and international issues.

The leaders underlined the need for "the full implementation of the Istanbul agreement, including the unimpeded export of Russia's grain, fertilizer and raw materials for their production."

On July 22, Türkiye, the UN, Russia, and Ukraine signed a deal in Istanbul to reopen three Ukrainian ports for exports of Ukraine grain, which had been stuck for months due to the Russia-Ukraine war, now in its sixth month.

Erdogan said Russia has 40 million tons of goods, adding that there are some countries who “spread rumors as if Türkiye had stopped the ships. There is no such thing."

He added all the ships will pass through Türkiye before reaching their final destination.

Thanks to Türkiye's diplomatic efforts to unblock Ukraine grain exports, the first ship to leave Ukraine under the agreement, Sierra Leone-flagged cargo vessel Razoni, departed from Odesa carrying over 26,500 tons of corn, got security clearance in Istanbul, and is on its way to the Lebanese port of Tripoli, its final destination.

Three more ships, carrying over 58,000 tons of grain, on Friday departed Ukraine ports to reach their final destinations.

Erdogan stated there will be no winner in the Russia-Ukraine war, saying: "Despite the difficulties on the ground, I also maintain my strong belief that the crisis will be resolved at the negotiating table. I reminded Putin once again that we can host his meeting with [Ukrainian President Volodymyr] Zelenskyy."

Türkiye will continue to hold dialogue to contribute to regional and global peace, he added.

Erdogan said he believes that a cease-fire between Russia and Ukraine is possible "if parties really show sensitivity to promises made."

Erdogan said he discussed with Putin the steps to be taken against terrorist organizations in Syria and agreed to take necessary steps to protect Syria’s territorial integrity.