Vershinin held a press conference on the grain agreement in the capital Moscow.
Explaining that Russia is working on alternative routes for grain shipments to Africa, Verşinin said, “The issue of new routes is a logistics and technical issue in general and we are working on it. We have very serious contacts with African countries regarding the delivery of Russian cargoes and Russian grains.”
When Vershinin was asked whether Russia was holding talks with other countries on an alternative agreement after Russia’s withdrawal from the grain agreement, he replied, “We are not holding talks on an alternative agreement to the grain agreement.”
Underlining that Russia’s approach to the issue has been clearly expressed, Vershinin said, “First, let’s get the results of the work that we negotiated for a year and received many promises. Then we can revive joint efforts to supply grain to the world market,” he said.
“Our field of interaction with Türkiye is huge”
Verşinin stated that high-level contacts between Turkey and Russia continue and said, “We have very close and traditional contacts with Turkey. We are also in contact with them at the moment and we are exchanging ideas on what to do in the current situation. We have a very large area of both political and economic interaction with Turkey,” he said.
Noting that the high-level contacts between Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and Russian President Vladimir Putin will continue, Verşinin said, “Any contact at the highest level in Turkey or Russia will of course have a very big and serious agenda.”
Verşinin stated that they positively evaluated the diplomatic initiatives carried out by Turkey within the scope of the grain agreement and said, “I held many consultations both in Moscow and Ankara. I would like to say that I greatly appreciate the potential, knowledge and professional skills of my Turkish colleagues.”
Deputy Minister Vershinin stated that Russia and Turkey should continue their contacts to contribute to both regional and international stability.
Clarifying the decision of the Russian Ministry of Defense to define ships going to Ukrainian ports as “potential military cargo carriers”, Vershinin said that investigations would be carried out on the ships in question.