Ukraine rejects Turkey's call to soften grain deal position
Ukraine has rejected a call from Turkey for it to soften its position on a proposed deal to unblock grain exports from the country's ports.
In an interview with Reuters, Ukrainian presidential adviser Mikhailo Podolyak said that Kyiv would not support any relaxation of sanctions against Russia or a "pacification" policy.
Podolyak said that Russia is not serious about the grain deal and is instead trying to destroy Ukraine's ports and grain infrastructure.
He also said that Russia does not need a grain deal and is simply trying to disconnect Ukraine from the global grain market.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said on Monday that there was a possibility of reviving the grain deal after talks with his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin.
Russia suspended the deal in July, saying that its own exports of grain and fertilizers were being blocked.
Translation by Iurie Tataru
