Moscow agrees to resume cooperation in Ukraine grain export deal | Ukraine latest

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said on Wednesday that Russia had agreed to resume the deal to allow the export of Ukrainian grain via the Black Sea as of midday on Wednesday.

Erdogan said that Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu had spoken to his Turkish counterpart and told him that the grain corridor had the go-ahead from Moscow to continue.
"After the call we held yesterday with [Russian President Vladimir] Putin, Russian Defence Minister Shoigu called our National Defence Minister Hulusi Akar and expressed that the grain transports will continue as agreed before as of 12 p.m. [0900 GMT] today," Erdogan said.
The Turkish president added that exports to African nations would be prioritized, saying that Russia had been concerned most of the exported grain was ending up in richer countries.
Moscow also confirmed its U-turn decision on suspending its involvement in the grain exports deal.
"The Russian Federation considers that the guarantees received at the moment appear sufficient, and resumes the implementation of the agreement," its Defense Ministry said in a statement.
Russia suspended its role in a UN-brokered accord over the weekend that allowed the safe export of grains from Ukraine. It made the decision after an attack on its Black Sea fleet.
The UN said on Monday, however, that grain had continued to leave Ukrainian ports despite the Russian suspension of the deal.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres "warmly welcomes" Moscow's resumption of the deal, his spokesperson said in response to the decision.

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[Subher]

Russia: "This grain deal wil end today!"

Turkey: "No."

Russia: "I mean... erm... grain deal will continue only because we trust Ukraine to do the right thing..."

[edwardkennedy]

When Russia was told that exports would continue regardless of their desires, they decided to pretend that they are ready to cooperate again. That's the whole story for you.

[netiturtle]

Turkey: grain shipments are going to continue
Russia: .
Russia: ..
Russia: ...
Russia: ....
Russia: grain shipments are going to continue

[jeremiasrobinson]

They only agreed because they realized that it isn't up to them what others do, and if they "agree" it doesn't look as much like they don't have any control.

[borisstanislav]

Russia's gesture of good will after Turkey told them to.

[rbstevns]

Hilarious that the Turkish navy was overwhelming intimidating Russia’s navy 10-1

[lordbuckethead]

Pootin: We will no longer respect the grain deal!!! We are superpower!!1!!

Turkey: You will respect the deal

Pootin: OK 😔

[leeedsonetwo]

LOL, Ukraine ignored Russian cooperation and I imagine Turkey told Russia to get in line.

[janiekcarney]

Thank you Turkey for helping feed the hungry of the World.

[desert_rose]

when you realise that life will go on with or without you. i like how Erdogan deals with Putin bcos he only understand force

[TheRogueEmpire]

turkey says jump, russia says how high

[janroach]

Not a huge fan of Erdogan but he has redeemed himself. He stood up to Russia alone by refusing to let the grain deal die and had Turkish military ships escort the grain out in direct defiance of Putin, in effect, daring him to strike his ships. He shows great courage and the U.S. and NATO could learn a few things from this strongman.

[nintendokings]

Putin is only doing this sudden backpedal because Turkey basically made him😂

[arcanecrisis]

The fact of the matter is Russian ships CANNOT stop the ships while hiding in Sevastopol. The UN just ignored their hollow threat and (to avoid looking the weak fool) Russia backtracked. Haha 🤣🤣🤣🤣

[DeptalJexus]

This is a sign of soft-surrender by making oneself look like saint for giving up.

[boborock]

Moscow pulled out, Turkey changed strategy and started flagging ships with Turkish flags and sent them forward, Russia couldn't attack Turkish ships thus the announcement

[joellee]

this is great news, turkey has deals with some of these exports of food coming out of ukraine, which is why turkey has got this export back on track..

[finnjacobsen]

Good news even if Russia cannot be trusted to keep any deals.

[mattmccaughen]

The grain was going either way this is just Russia saving face

[marciabirmingham]

We should do everything to help Ukraine 🇺🇦