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09-07-2023
ANKARA: In a significant diplomatic move, Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan aims to make progress in resolving the ongoing conflict in Ukraine during Russian President Vladimir Putin’s upcoming visit to Turkey in August.
Erdogan seeks to capitalize on the visit to address key issues, including extending the Black Sea grain deal and facilitating prisoner exchanges between Ukraine and Russia. With hopes for fruitful discussions, Erdogan expressed his optimism about the potential for peace and underlined Turkey’s commitment to playing a crucial role in the negotiations.
“Our hope is that it will be extended at least once every three months, not every two months. We will make an effort in this regard and try to increase the duration of it to two years,” Erdogan underlined during a joint news conference with Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskiy.
One of the key topics on the agenda is the extension of the Black Sea grain deal, which allows for the safe export of grain from Ukrainian ports via the Black Sea despite the ongoing conflict. Erdogan emphasizes the importance of lengthening the agreement, aiming for extensions of at least three months and eventually up to two years. The 
stability and continuity of the grain deal are crucial not only for the involved nations but also for combating hunger in poorer nations. Erdogan is determined to secure longer timeframes and ensure the uninterrupted flow of grain exports.
Another critical issue to be addressed during Putin’s visit is prisoner exchanges between Ukraine and Russia. Erdogan, alongside Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskiy, highlights the significance of this matter, particularly the return of captives, including political prisoners and Crimean Tatars. The discussions aim to find common ground and reach agreements on the release and repatriation of individuals detained during the conflict. Erdogan expresses optimism about achieving positive results, stressing the need to work towards the return of all captives and political prisoners. (Int’l Monitoring Desk)
