Turkey
is ready to process Russian grain coming through the Black Sea grain corridor
into flour and send it to “poor countries in Africa and underdeveloped states,”
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said on Aug. 4, as reported by Ukrainian
news agency Ukrinform.
“You know, we are in agreement with Russia on this matter,” said Erdogan.
“That is, the grain coming from Russia through the Black Sea corridor, we will process into flour and transport it as flour to poor countries in Africa, underdeveloped countries.”
The president noted that "even now, the (Turkish) Agriculture Ministry will continue to take these steps and support poor countries."
On July 28, The Wall Street Journal reported that Russian dictator Vladimir Putin was ignoring requests from Erdogan to hold negotiations on the continuation of the Black Sea Grain Initiative (BSGI).
On Aug. 2, Erdogan announced that Putin agreed to visit Turkey after a joint phone call.