Ankara claims progress on talks over release of trapped Ukrainian grain onto world markets

An employee of the Romanian grain handling operator Comvex walks by as cereals are loaded on a ship in the Black Sea port of Constanta, Romania, Tuesday, June 21, 2022. While Romania has vocally embraced the ambitious goal of turning into a main hub for the export of agricultural products from Ukraine, economic experts and port operators in the country warn that it was much easier objective to set than to actually achieve. (AP Photo/Vadim Ghirda) AP - Vadim Ghirda

Ankara is claiming a breakthrough in efforts to release trapped Ukrainian grain to world markets as global food prices soar. The breakthrough came after Wednesday's four-way talks between Russian, Ukrainian, United Nations, and Turkish officials in Istanbul.

Turkish defense minister Hulusi Akar said that Wednesday's talks opened the door to a deal that will release millions of tonnes of trapped Ukrainian grain in a statement.