A meeting between Russian and Turkish authorities to create a grain export corridor in the Black Sea ended on Wednesday (8) without major advances. Ukraine's exports have been halted since February, when Russia invaded the country. This has resulted in high food prices around the world and increased pressure on poorer nations, mainly in the Middle East and Africa, which rely on imported wheat.

Ukraine, which did not attend the meeting, did not give permission for a possible agreement between Russia and Turkey, and said it needs assurances that Moscow will not use this corridor for further attacks. U.S. officials are also skeptical of the negotiations between Russia and Turkey.

A possible agreement would involve Turkish warships removing mines from Ukrainian ports and creating a safe passage for ships carrying wheat and other products from Ukraine. "We see this as a reasonable and viable plan," Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said on Wednesday, speaking alongside his Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov in Ankara.

Ukraine's Foreign Ministry expressed objections to the Black Sea proposal in a statement on Tuesday, ahead of negotiations in Turkey. "We cannot rule out Russia's plans to use the corridor to attack Odessa and southern Ukraine. That is why effective security guarantees are needed to restore maritime transport," the ministry said.

A significant portion of the world's food supply is at stake. The Russian invasion left about 20 million tons of grain and seeds held in Ukrainian territory. This volume was confiscated by Russia or isolated from the Black Sea ports through which commodities are normally exported. The bombardment of roads, bridges and other structures by Russia, along with the blockade of Ports of Ukraine, has increased obstacles to the withdrawal of grain from the country, ukrainian authorities and farmers say.

After the meeting, Lavrov used his joint interview with Cavusoglu to blame Ukraine for delays in releasing the grain. Ukrainian officials have accused Russia of turning food into weapons and warned that the country's current strategy is to shift blame for the grain crisis to Ukraine.

Cavusoglu reiterated that Turkey is ready to host a meeting involving Turkey, Russia, Ukraine and the United Nations (UN) to discuss the grain issue. Lavrov downplayed the proposed meeting, calling it symbolic.

The Black Sea route is one of several options that the U.S. and other Western nations are considering to export retained wheat in Ukraine. An alternative plan would involve exporting grain by rail through Belarus. This option also met resistance from Ukrainian leaders who oppose the lifting of sanctions on Belarus, which is Russia's ally in the attack on Ukraine.

In Washington, U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen told lawmakers that the war in Ukraine is raising global energy prices and affecting food supply. She noted that prices for wheat, corn and cooking oil increased significantly.

Turkey, a member of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) that has good relations with Russia and Ukraine, facilitated peace negotiations between the two countries. The Turkish government will likely use any agreement involving Ukrainian grains to improve its international standing. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan took advantage of his country's central role – supporting Ukraine militarily, maintaining an open line with Russia – to promote the interests of his government.

Ukraine's skepticism could leave any agreement between Turkey and Russia in limbo, as Ukrainian cooperation is needed to remove mines from ports and arrangements for exporting grain from their territory. "We emphasize that decisions should be made with the participation of all parties involved. We will reject any agreements that do not take into account Ukraine's interests," Ukraine's Foreign Ministry said on Tuesday.

Source: Canal Rural