All statements of the aggressor country about the need to stop exports are nothing but speculations. The agenda for Ukraine is to expand the list of goods to be exported from our territory - Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Ukraine to Turkey Vasyl Bodnar said at the briefing, an LB correspondent reports.
"The agreement on the grain corridor expires in a month. It was signed in July. We have already heard statements from the aggressor country and attempts to put pressure on partners that this agreement should be terminated because it is not profitable, does not reach the countries of Africa, Asia and so on. Of course, these are speculations that have nothing to do with reality. Part of the grain that comes to Turkey is processed and sold to the African and Asian continents," he said.
Bodnar stressed that one of the key goals of Ukraine is to extend this agreement on the export of agricultural products.
"We do not yet know the position of the aggressor country. Whether it can engage in these negotiations. Also, our goal is to expand the negotiation platforms. Perhaps, with the involvement of Western countries. For us, it is most crucial that there are no negotiations without us. That is nothing about Ukraine without Ukraine. This is unambiguous. The Turkish side accepts it normally. The second principle is that no one from our side will negotiate with Putin. The condition for such negotiations with the aggressor country is the withdrawal of troops from the territory of Ukraine. Ankara also clearly understands this," he explained.
Currently, the grain corridor continues to work. From 8 to 13 ships leave the ports every day.
"Ukraine is already raising the question of the possibility of expanding the range of exports from our territory in the future. So far, this is a matter of perspective. But it is on the agenda".
He stressed that Turkey had not made harsh statements after the massive missile strikes because of the country's attempts to continue the policy of mediation in the negotiations on the grain corridor and the release of our prisoners.
"Therefore, there were no such sharp statements. However, the society reacted seriously enough," Bodnar added.
According to him, Turkey has been trying to ensure the negotiation process since the first day of the full-scale invasion. At the same time, Turkey has a firm position of preserving the territorial integrity of Ukraine.