“There could be new ground for negotiations” between Ukraine and Russia on halting the fighting and securing safe corridors for grain exports, according to Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu.
Turkey believes the war should be ended through a diplomatic process “as soon as possible” for “the sake of the whole region and the whole of humanity,” said Cavusoglu, speaking at a joint press conference in Ankara with his Russian counterpart Sergey Lavrov on Wednesday.
Turkey is willing to take a facilitating role, said Cavusoglu.
The halt of grain exports is one of the negative consequences of the war and a plan for the resumption of exports should be established,” he added.
“There are multiple ideas” about how to establish an open corridor for grain exports from Ukraine, said Cavusoglu, who added that a UN plan was “reasonable and can be implemented ” but requires more talks.
Also speaking at the joint press conference, Lavrov said issues related to grain exports from Ukraine could be resolved, but Ukraine needs to de-mine its waters to ensure the safe passage of ships.
“If Ukraine is ready to kick off de-mining activities, then we are ready for that [resolving the issues] as well,” he said.
Lavrov reiterated that Russia is portrayed in the wrong light, and that every ship and vessel that wishes to use the corridors is free to act in “whatever way they please.”
