Putin to Erdogan: Resumption of Grain Deal Can Be Considered after Sevastopol Attack Probe

Russian President Vladimir Putin attends a meeting with Defense Minister at the Novo-Ogaryovo state residence, outside Moscow, on October 28, 2022. (Sputnik AFP)

President Vladimir Putin told his Turkish counterpart Tayyip Erdogan in a phone call on Tuesday that Russia could consider resuming a deal allowing grain exports from Ukrainian seaports only after completion of an investigation of drone attacks on the Crimean naval port of Sevastopol.

The export deal was agreed by Russia and Ukraine and brokered by Türkiye and the United Nations in July to ease a world hunger crisis caused in part by Moscow's invasion of Ukraine, a major grain producer, and an earlier blockade of its ports. It is due to expire on Nov. 19.