Russia and Turkey have reached a preliminary agreement to unblock the supply of Ukrainian agricultural products across the Black Sea, but have not agreed on their terms with Ukraine.
Source: Journalists Firat Kozok and Selcan Hacaoglu
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has offered to help demine the coast near Odesa and escort Ukrainian grain ships.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov is expected to discuss a plan to unblock Ukrainian ports during talks in Ankara on June 8.
The Russian-Turkish plan would allow for the removal of mines near Odesa and guarantee safe passage for ships out of the Black Sea, under the auspices of the UN.
Russia is also demanding the ability to inspect ships going to Ukraine for weapons, a condition Kyiv has resisted.
Ukraine hasn’t endorsed this plan, worried that removing defenses could leave the vital port open to Russian attack.
“Putin says he will not use trade routes to attack Odesa. This is the same Putin, who told German Chancellor Scholz and French President Macron he would not attack Ukraine — days before launching a full-scale invasion of our country. We can not trust Putin, his words are empty,” – the Ukrainian Foreign Minister commented on the Russian-Turkish plan.
See also: Turkish and Ukrainian Presidents discussed the establishment of the Control Center in Istanbul
