Moscow evaluating Türkiye’s proposal for peace talks with Ukraine: Russian FM

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov confirmed on Tuesday that Russia is actively studying Türkiye’s initiative to host peace negotiations with Ukraine and revive the stalled Black Sea Grain Initiative.

In an interview with the RIA news agency, Lavrov praised Türkiye’s diplomatic efforts and highlighted President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s role in seeking a resolution to the Ukraine conflict.

Lavrov noted that Türkiye had previously facilitated the drafting of the only peace agreement between Russia and Ukraine, alongside brokering the crucial grain export deal through the Black Sea.

“These agreements were later rejected or unimplemented by Kyiv,” Lavrov said, accusing Ukraine of using the Black Sea corridor for attacks on Russian vessels.

He also emphasized that Russia’s part of the deal, which aimed to ensure access to global markets for Russian agricultural products, has yet to be realized.

Lavrov reiterated President Vladimir Putin’s openness to further discussions on Black Sea navigation, citing talks held with Erdogan during the BRICS summit in Kazan. He added that U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres had also expressed support for renewing talks on the matter.

The Black Sea Grain Initiative first brokered in 2022 and facilitated Ukrainian grain exports, but Moscow halted its participation in July 2023, citing obstacles to Russian grain shipments.