On Sunday, Sabah newspaper reported that Türkiye is looking to re-enact the Black Sea grain deal as it was originally enacted, and does not support alternative proposals regarding the export of agricultural products, according to government sources.

Reportedly, Ankara has opened diplomatic talks with the UN, Russia, and Ukraine, as it seeks to reopen a safe corridor for the export of Ukrainian grain similar to that which existed until the deal was allowed to expire earlier last month.

Türkiye is also supportive of the Joint Coordination Center (JCC) on the Black Sea Grain Initiative, a coalition of representatives of Ukraine, Russia, Türkiye and the United Nations which was assembled in July of 2022, in Istanbul, and which was assigned the duties of monitoring the movements of all vessels and confirming all parties were in compliance with the initiative.

Russia has accused the US and EU of failing to uphold their parts of the bargain in facilitating the exports of Russian agricultural products and fertilizer, as they have allowed Ukraine to divert food shipments meant for impoverished regions suffering from food shortages to more lucrative markets, such as in Europe.

According to media reports, Ankara is seeking the resumption of the initiative in its original form, as this would restore a key element of the agreement which was the reduction of tensions in the Black Sea basin.

Russian news agency TASS has reported that the grain deal stands a good chance of being resumed. Turkish government sources have said that the Black Sea transport corridor is a far cheaper means of exporting agricultural produce to global markets than all other options.

Russian President Vladimir Putin spoke earlier this week with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, and reportedly the two leaders have reached an agreement prior to a potential meeting.