Russia, Turkey Discuss Syria, Grain Exports from Ukraine

The Russian and Turkish defence ministers have discussed a ‘potential grain exports’ corridor from Ukraine, as well as northern Syria, in a call, Turkey’s defence ministry has said, as Ankara and Moscow gear up for talks between their foreign ministers.

The call comes after Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan announced two weeks ago that his country would ” “launch new military offensives” into northern Syria targeting the Kurdish YPG armed group.

During the call, Turkish Defence Minister Hulusi Akar told Russian counterpart Sergei Shoigu that “the necessary response will be given to actions aimed at disrupting the stability achieved in the region and the presence of terrorists in the region is not acceptable,” Turkey’s defence ministry said in a statement.

Akar also “reminded that previous agreements on this issue need to be adhered to,” his office said.

Aljazeera /Shakirat Sadiq