Turkish Defense Minister: Suspending the grain agreement will not benefit any party

Turkish Defense Minister Hulusi Akar said on Monday that suspending the agreement to export grain from the Black Sea will not benefit any of the parties involved, after Moscow suspended its participation in the initiative.

Akar stated that he will hold a phone conversation with his Russian counterpart Sergei Shoigu later on Monday and will also continue talks with Ukraine’s Defense Minister.

“We will make efforts to ensure the continuation of this initiative by holding talks with (the two parties),” a Defense Ministry statement quoted Akar as saying in a video conference with Turkish army commanders.

Russia, which invaded Ukraine on February 24, said it had suspended its participation in the deal “indefinitely” because it could not “guarantee the safety of civilian ships” after an attack on its fleet in the Black Sea.