Türkiye Advocates for Renewal of Food Agreement with Russia at G20

• Financial

Türkiye's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan is making a fervent appeal to fellow G20 leaders, urging them to address some of Russia's key demands as a pathway to rejuvenating a pivotal food agreement. According to Bloomberg, these demands echo the concerns of many developing nations, particularly in Africa, who rely heavily on this grain agreement.

Countering Food Insecurity Amid Global Tensions

At the heart of this global discourse is the increasing demand for grain in developing countries. G20 nations are expected to emphasize the critical role the grain agreement plays in these nations, and to strongly advocate for the cessation of any "military destruction" or other aggressive acts that target vital infrastructure.

Delving into the specifics of Türkiye's proposition, officials familiar with the ongoing discussions have disclosed that Erdogan's administration is urging world leaders to facilitate insurances for Russian food and fertilizer exports via Lloyd's of London.

Equally crucial is the call to reintegrate Moscow into the SWIFT international payment system, which has a significant impact on global financial transactions. According to these same Türkiye's officials, the path to reviving this essential deal is clear: the easing of certain sanctions currently obstructing Moscow from importing necessary agricultural equipment.

A Glimpse into Erdogan and Putin's Recent Discussions

Recently, on September 4, a significant meeting took place in Sochi between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Turkish leader Recep Tayyip Erdogan. In the post-meeting press conference, Erdogan divulged that in collaboration with the UN, Ankara has crafted a fresh suite of initiatives.

These initiatives are focused on rejuvenating the Black Sea food initiative, and there's palpable hope for a fruitful resolution post-deliberation. President Putin, on his part, expressed Moscow's willingness to rejoin the food agreement swiftly, contingent on the fulfillment of commitments made under the Istanbul agreement from the previous year.

This unfolding dynamic between Turkey and Russia, and the broader G20 conversations, underscores the intricate ties between international diplomacy, trade, and the urgent quest to alleviate food insecurity in some of the world's most vulnerable regions.