FM Fidan, UN chief discuss developments after Russia's withdrawal
In this photo released by the United Nations, a U.N. official of the Joint Coordination Centre carries out an inspection on board of the bulk cargo ship TQ Samsun, which traveled from Odessa, Ukraine, loaded with grain, while anchored in the Black Sea, near the entrance of the Bosporus in Istanbul, Türkiye, Monday, July 17, 2023. (United Nations via AP)


Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan and U.N. Secretary-General discussed developments regarding the Black Sea Grain Initiative, after Russia's announcement that it would not participate in the groundbreaking agreement until Moscow's conditions are met.

Turkish diplomatic sources shared no further details about the phone call between Fidan and Guterres.


The phone call came after Russia suspended its participation in the deal that was signed by Türkiye, the U.N., Russia, and Ukraine in July last year to resume grain exports from three Ukrainian Black Sea ports which had been paused after the Russia-Ukraine war began that February.

Earlier on Monday, the Kremlin said that the Russian part of the agreement was not implemented.


Speaking to reporters, Guterres "deeply" regretted Russia's decision, saying: "Today's decision by the Russian Federation will strike a blow to people in need everywhere."

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Monday said that despite Moscow's suspension of from the deal, he believes that Russian President Vladimir Putin wants the agreement to continue.

The Black Sea grain agreement went down in history as a diplomatic success, Erdogan stressed, adding that Türkiye has always attached importance to the initiative's continuation and has intensified diplomatic efforts to this end.