Russian Foreign Minister: No extension of agricultural export agreements without removal of barrier

Turkey agrees to Russia's request to remove barriers to fertilizer exports

Turkish Foreign Minister Çavuşoğlu said Friday he agreed to Russia's demand that barriers to Russian fertilizer and grain exports be removed and said the issue needs to be resolved before the entire Black Sea Grain Initiative involving Ukraine can be extended.At a news conference with the Russian foreign minister, he said Turkey is committed to extending the U.N. initiated agreement to ensure the safe passage of grain and other commodities from Ukrainian ports.

They value the continuation of the agreement not only for the sake of Russian and Ukrainian grain and fertilizer exports, but also to stop the world food crisis.

Last month, despite demands from the UN, Ukraine and Turkey to prolong the food deal for another 120 days, Russia said it would prolong the deal for another 60 days.