Turkey Not Engaged in Negotiations on Alternatives to Grain Deal, Source in Ankara Reveals

© Sputnik . Alexander Galperin / Go to the mediabankA grain elevator in the Zaporozhye region
A grain elevator in the Zaporozhye region - Sputnik Africa, 1920, 19.01.2024
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ANKARA (Sputnik) - Turkey is not conducting any negotiations on alternatives to the Black Sea grain initiative, as the non-participation of either party to the deal carries risks, a diplomatic source in Ankara told Sputnik on Friday.
On Thursday, Ukrainian Ambassador to Turkey Vasyl Bodnar said that Kiev is engaged in "certain negotiations" to find an alternative format to the grain deal. Russia does not yet see any prospects for resuming the Black Sea grain initiative.
"Various versions were put forward and discussed. But we have said from day one that alternative routes, where all parties are not involved in the transaction, are risky. Our goal is to resume this initiative in its original form, although this is very difficult in the current conditions," the source said.
The Turkey- and UN-mediated Black Sea Grain Initiative, signed in July 2022, which provided for a humanitarian corridor to allow safe sea exports of Ukrainian and Russian agricultural products and fertilizers, expired July 18, 2023, after Russia refused to extend its participation, citing persistent violation of the package deal's component to facilitate Russian grain and fertilizer exports.
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