Putin says open to grain deal return, but will continue separate initiative

Putin says open to grain deal return, but will continue separate initiative

President Vladimir Putin says he is "ready to promote" a return to the Black Sea grain deal initiative provided Russia's demands are met, which would primarily involve removing sanctions on Russian exports and agricultural technology.

However, both Putin and his Turkish counterpart Recep Tayyip Erdogan insist they will go ahead with plans to implement a separate initiative to directly deliver tens of thousands of tons of grain to six African countries.

The comments come at a press conference following bilateral Russo-Turkish talks aimed at reviving the Black Sea grain deal.