TURKEY’s foreign minister today met with Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelensky for talks aimed at reviving a deal with Russia allowing the safe passage of grain across the Black Sea.

The Turkish foreign ministry released pictures of Hakan Fidan shaking hands with Zelensky. 

Diplomats had earlier said the talks would focus on the UN and Turkey-brokered grain agreement, which Russia pulled out of last month.

Zelensky said “many important issues were discussed” in a statement following talks with Fidan, naming in particular “risks posed by the Russian blockade of the Black Sea grain corridor.”

Tensions have escalated in the key waterway since Russia last month exited a deal brokered by Turkey and the UN that guaranteed safe passage for Ukrainian grain exports from three southern ports.

The first civilian ship to leave Ukraine in defiance of Russia’s blockade arrived earlier this month to Istanbul. – AFP, August 25, 2023