ISTANBUL, July 17 (Xinhua) -- Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Monday said that a multilateral deal allowed for shipments of grain and other agricultural products from Ukraine's Black Sea ports could be saved.
The Black Sea Grain Initiative, brokered by Türkiye and the United Nations to help alleviate the global food crisis after the Russia-Ukraine conflict, expired on Monday.
Moscow said the deal ended and it would not be renewed unless its conditions were met.
"Despite the statement made today, I believe that Russian President (Vladimir) Putin wants the continuation of this humanitarian bridge," Erdogan said, referring to the accord.
Erdogan was speaking to reporters at an Istanbul airport before embarking on a visit to Saudi Arabia.
He said that he could speak by phone with Putin before a long-awaited trip expected to be made by the Russian leader to Türkiye.
Last week, Erdogan said Putin may visit Türkiye in August.
The United Nations and Türkiye brokered the Black Sea Grain Initiative with Russia and Ukraine to provide a humanitarian maritime corridor for ships with food and fertilizer exports from three designated Ukrainian Black Sea ports in July 2022.
