Zelensky, Erdogan discuss efforts to restore operation of Black Sea grain export deal

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and his Turkish counterpart Recep Tayyip Erdogan in a phone call on Friday coordinated efforts to restore the operation of the Black Sea Grain Initiative.

The head of state said this on his Twitter account, Ukrinform reports.

"I had a phone conversation with President of Türkiye Recep Tayyip Erdogan. I thanked my colleague for the fruitful meeting in Istanbul on July 7 and Turkey's principled position regarding Ukraine," Zelensky wrote.

He added that both parties had coordinated efforts to restore the operation of the Black Sea Grain Initiative.

"Due to Russia's actions, the world is once again on the brink of a food crisis. A total of 400 million people in many countries of Africa and Asia are at risk of starvation. Together, we must avert a global food crisis," Zelensky said.

Zelensky also discussed with Erdogan the implementation of the Ukrainian Peace Formula and asked for the Turkish leader's assistance in returning Ukrainian POWs, particularly Crimean Tatars.

Earlier on Friday, Erdogan said that Turkey would "not hesitate" to take the initiative needed to prevent the "harmful effects" of Russia pulling out of the Black Sea grain deal.