On Saturday, Russian President Vladimir Putin and Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan held a phone call to discuss the Black Sea grain deal. Erdogan expressed gratitude for Putin’s extension of the deal and understanding of Russia’s stance on removing barriers for their agricultural products. However, Russia laid out conditions on Monday for any further extension of the deal. Putin suggested that free grain could be sent to African countries if those conditions were not met. The two leaders also discussed the positive trade and economic relations between their countries, including joint strategic projects in the energy sector and the construction of the Akkuyu nuclear power plant in Turkey. Additionally, they talked about the potential normalisation of Turkish-Syrian relations.
