Turkey’s Erdogan Promises to Assist Ukraine Recover Stolen Grain

Russia’s war against Ukraine has covered a wide number of humanitarian factors, but one which could lead to famine abroad is Russia’s wholesale robbery of grain from Ukraine which is being shipped to Russian allies in Africa.

On Monday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky Tweeted following a call with the Turkish President that “We appreciate their support. Discussed the importance of unblocking (our) ports and resuming grain exports. We must also prevent Russia from taking our grains (from areas that are under temporary Russian occupation.”

Russia has blocked some of Ukraine’s key ports and is not allowing international maritime travel to Ukraine. Following the launch of Russia’s February 24 invasion, Ukraine has also taken steps to mine some port areas, such as Odessa, to prevent an attack by sea against the city.

As war wages, Ukrainian farmers’ ability to reap harvests and to prepare for planting has been jeopardized. Allegations have been made that Russia is intentionally torching Ukrainian farm lands and destroying farm equipment in “Europe’s Breadbasket.”

The Black Sea’s only exit for transport cargo, the Bosphorus, a Strait that goes directly through Turkish waters. Given this unique leverage, Turkey has played an important role in preventing Ukrainian grains from being robbed from Ukraine. In the past few weeks, Turkey has detained multiple ships that were thought to be transporting grains illegally taken from Ukraine by Russia, or Russian proxies.

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A number of investigations, using satellites, GPS, and other technologies, has confirmed that Russia was actively robbing Ukrainian grains and sending them abroad.

Turkey, a NATO member, has recently made the news as having opposed Finland and Sweden’s ascension into NATO, before finally changing course and voting in favor of the move following US assurances of a weapons deal.