Erdogan meets Putin; aims to revive wartime Ukraine grain export deal

Erdogan said the grain deal was the headline issue at the daylong talks between the two leaders in Russia's Black Sea resort of Sochi

Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Monday sought to persuade Russian President Vladimir Putin to revive an agreement that allowed Ukraine to export grain and other commodities from three Black Sea ports despite the war with Russia.

Putin in July refused to extend the agreement, which was brokered by Turkey and the United Nations a year earlier and was seen as vital for global food supplies, especially in Africa, the Middle East and Asia. Ukraine and Russia are major suppliers of wheat, barley, sunflower oil and other goods that developing nations rely on.

Erdogan said the grain deal was the headline issue at the daylong talks between the two leaders in Russia's Black Sea resort of Sochi, where the Russian president has a residence.

"Everyone is looking at the grain corridor issue," Erdogan said in opening remarks.

Putin acknowledged that "issues related to the Ukraine crisis" would be discussed between them.

"I know that you intend to raise questions about the grain deal. We're open to negotiations on that subject," he told Erdogan.