On July 22, a package of documents which aimed to solve the problem of food and fertilizer supplies to the global market was signed in Istanbul
According to TASS, Russia's state-owned news agency article published on October 18, 2022, Ankara is optimistic on the potential extension of the grain deal expiring on November 19, official spokesman of the Turkish President Ibrahim Kalin said on Tuesday on the air with the A Haber TV Channel.
"Contact with the UN continues. The Turkish President suggested an extension of the agreement toVladimir Putin for six months or a year as ideal," Kalin said.
Russia has not yet given its answer on an extension of the Istanbul agreements, the presidential spokesman noted.
No explicit sanctions have been levied against Russian agricultural products and fertilizers but Russian companies are concerned with secondary sanctions, Kalin said. "They do not want to enter into business because they are concerned with secondary sanctions. Russia fairly asks, ‘Why are Ankara having problems with the export of grain from Ukraine?’" the presidential spokesman noted.
Kalin said he had discussed this issue with US National Security Advisor to President Jake Sullivan. Their telephone conversation took place on Monday.
"I mentioned several times in conversations with Sullivan that the Russians should be given assurances that their products would not be seized. Theyresponded that they have given such guarantees. Then Ankara proposed that they notify the UN and Russia about that," the Turkish official said.
Kalin noted that he intends to discuss this matter with UN Under-Secretary-General Martin Griphits, who held talks on the grain deal extension in Moscow on October 18. "I have not talked to Griphits yet. Probably, I will speak with him today or tomorrow," he added.
On July 22, a package of documents which aimed to solve the problem of food and fertilizer supplies to the global market was signed in Istanbul.
