Russia, Turkey discuss Ukrainian grain transit

• Turkey has offered to help Ukrainian warships get through known minefields.
• This is based on a proposal from the U.N. Russia has denied many times that it is blocking the passage of cargo ships carrying Ukrainian grain.
• Instead, it blames the food shortage on sanctions that the West has put on Russia.

MOSCOW: The Russian defence ministry announced on Wednesday that a Turkish defence delegation was in Moscow for discussions aimed at resuming grain exports from Ukraine over the Black Sea.

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“The parties discussed the safe exit of Turkish merchant ships and the export of grain from Ukrainian ports, as well as approaches to ensuring safe navigation in the Black Sea,“ the ministry said in a statement issued Tuesday following the meeting.

Russia has denied many times that it is blocking the passage of cargo ships carrying Ukrainian grain. Instead, it blames the food shortage on the sanctions that the West has put on Russia.

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