Turkey sees no other solution than Ukraine’s grain export deal with Russia, the Turkish Foreign Minister said from Kyiv, ruling out a possible other route the United States could consider.

They know that other routes are being sought, but they see no alternative to the original deal because of the risks, Turkish Foreign Minister, Hakan Fidan, told reporters.

Russia withdrew in mid-July from an agreement that had allowed millions of tons of Ukrainian grain to be exported by sea for nearly a year despite the war.

In recent weeks, Moscow has carried out a series of drone attacks on port infrastructure in Odessa and Danube ports.

Ukraine is seeking partners to resume exports, including through the Black Sea, where it recently provoked Moscow with the voyage of a Hong Kong-flagged cargo ship that was not attacked by Russia despite its threats.

Kyiv has also carried out several attacks on Russian ships in the Black Sea, including an oil tanker, and has, in turn, threatened ships bound for Russian ports and ports seized by Moscow.

Turkey has long played a mediating role between the two warring countries. Specifically, under the auspices of Ankara and the UN, the grain agreement was signed, from which Russia withdrew.

However, relations with Moscow are strained after Ankara handed over commanders of the ultra-nationalist Azov order to Ukraine.

President Vladimir Putin nevertheless asked in early August for Turkey’s support for grain exports from Russia’s bumper harvest, deliveries of which are being hampered by Western sanctions.

Also read: Russia | Suspension of spare parts supply of its weapon systems to “non-friendly countries”