Erdogan says Putin has agreed to extend grain deal - media

That's according to AFP on Twitter, Ukrinform reports.

According to Reuters, on July 14, President of Türkiye Recep Tayyip Erdogan said that he agreed with Russian President Vladimir Putin to extend the agreement that allows the export of Ukrainian grain through the Black Sea.

Speaking to reporters, Erdogan said the deal would be extended from the current July 17 deadline as a result of UN and Türkiye efforts.

The European Commission is assisting the UN and Türkiye in their efforts to extend the grain deal and is ready to "explore all solutions," a European Union spokesperson said on Thursday.

In July 2022, the UN and Türkiye came out in favor of mediating the Black Sea Grain Initiative with Russia and Ukraine to help alleviate the global food crisis, which has been worsened by Moscow's invasion of Ukraine and blockade of Ukrainian ports. Ukraine and Russia are among the world's leading grain exporters.

As reported, on July 8, President of Türkiye Recep Tayyip Erdogan said at a joint press conference with Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelensky that the country's authorities are working to extend the Black Sea Grain Initiative and are making every effort to extend its validity for two years.

On July 17, the grain deal expires. Russia has already stated that it does not intend to extend it and demands that some sanctions be lifted and that it start buying its goods.