Kind of getting out of hand...

Erdogan: Turkey will "not hesitate" to take action to prevent "harmful" effects of grain deal suspension

Niamh Kennedy

Turkey will “not hesitate” to take the initiative needed to prevent the “harmful effects” of Russia pulling out of the Black Sea grain deal, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said Friday, according to Turkish state media. 

The president hailed the grain deal as a “vital initiative” for humanity, outlining Turkey’s commitment to shoring up its future, according to Turkey’s state-run Anadolu agency.

“The termination of the Black Sea grain initiative will have a range of (harmful) effects, ranging from raising global food prices, in some regions to famine, and then new waves of migration. We do not hesitate to take the initiative to prevent this," President Erdogan told journalists on the presidential plane flying home from his tour to three Gulf nations this week, Anadolu reported.

On Monday, the head of the Ukrainian Grain Association Nikolay Gorbachov told CNN’s Isa Soares that Turkey’s fleet could help move grain from Ukraine without Russia. 

According to Anadolu, Erdogan expressed his belief that discussing the “issue in detail” with Russian President Vladimir Putin will “ensure the continuation of this humanitarian movement.” 

Some context: Turkey played a pivotal role alongside the UN in brokering the landmark agreement, which, according to UN data, facilitated the export of nearly 33 million tons of grain from Ukrainian ports. 

Referring to Putin’s expectations from Western countries on the grain deal, Erdogan remarked: “Western nations need to take action in this regard,” according to Anadolu.

Putin has accused Ukraine of failing to uphold the deal’s main objective: supplying grain to countries in need. 

The Turkish leader also refuted claims that Turkey’s role as a mediator between Russia and Ukraine has diminished. 

"On the contrary, we are currently maintaining our relations with Russia. Both Foreign Minister Hakan (Fidan) and (National Intelligence Organization) MIT head Ibrahim (Kalin) continue their negotiations," Erdogan told reporters.