Putin: Moscow open to grain deal talks with Erdogan

Russian President Vladimir Putin met with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Monday in southern Russia to discuss the Ukraine grain export deal.

Erdogan hopes to revive the agreement to allow the safe passage of grain through the Black Sea. Putin says Moscow is open to talks on the issue.

Putin also said the issues related to the Ukraine crisis would not be ignored. He added that he is "open to negotiations" on the subject of an agreement on agricultural products.

Erdogan said everyone is waiting to see what will happen regarding the grain corridor. He also said their message after the talks will be important for the world, especially underdeveloped countries in Africa.

Ukraine is a significant grain exporter. Turkey and the United Nations brokered the deal to resume its exports, which had been blocked due to Russia's full-scale invasion. But Moscow pulled out of the agreement in July, fanning fears of a global food crisis.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said last Thursday he had presented Russia with a set of new proposals in a bid to bring it back to the deal. The details of the proposals have not been disclosed.

Russia's foreign minister, Sergey Lavrov, reiterated his view that smooth exports of farm products from his country must be ensured.

Ahead of Monday's meeting, the Russian military carried out drone attacks for two consecutive nights in Odesa. The region is home to extensive grain shipping infrastructure.