Grain export deal could pave way for new Russia-Ukraine peace talks: Senior Turkish official

By Guc Gonel

ISTANBUL (AA) – The Turkish presidential spokesman said he is hopeful that that the grain export deal signed between Türkiye, the UN, Russia, and Ukraine can pave way for peace talks.

"I don't want to sound overly optimistic, but it's not unlikely that this grain supply deal will open the door to a cease-fire, prisoner swap, and fresh peace negotiations if it is implemented well," Ibrahim Kalin said in a televised interview on Sunday.

Kalin said that a war in which both sides suffer defeat and the entire globe suffered harm would have no winner, pointing out how the war impacts every aspect of life worldwide, ranging from the cost of energy to the commodity and food prices.

He also noted that ships from the ports of Odesa are loaded and ready to go, but inspections, coordinated corridors, and delivery of the shipments are still being arranged.

Kalin stressed that if everything goes well the ships may depart in two days at the latest.

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

The deal includes a coordination center in Istanbul to carry out joint inspections at the entrances and exits of harbors and to ensure the safety of the routes.