Ukraine not invited to talks between Russia and Turkey on Black Sea grain exports

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky stated that neither he nor Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba was invited to a meeting in Ankara on June 8 to discuss Black Sea shipping as reported by Interfax-Ukraine.

Mr. Zelensky stressed that he had discussed with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan the issue of Turkish mediation in unblocking Ukrainian ports. The president remarked that it is important to understand that Ukraine is ready to produce grain and needs a safe shipping corridor, no matter which country is ready to supply protection. In this regard, Mr. Zelensky said that he has talked to both Turkey and the UK and that Turkey is looking for a format for providing safe shipping guarantees.

“I think that is why they are meeting with the Russians, to give Russians guarantees that nothing will happen to their ships, however, the details of their meeting are unknown to me,” said the president.