Russia and Ukraine seek to break grain impasse in Turkey

The US space agency estimates that more than one-fifth of Ukraine's farmland is now under Russian control

Russia and Ukraine were due Wednesday to hold their first talks with UN and Turkish officials aimed at breaking a months-long impasse over grain exports that has seen food prices soar and millions face hunger.

The four-way meeting in Istanbul comes with Russia's invasion of Ukraine showing no sign of abating and the threat of food shortages spreading across the poorest parts of the world.

But exports across the Black Sea have been blocked by Russian warships and mines Kyiv has laid to avert a feared amphibious assault.

US space agency data released last week showed 22 percent of Ukraine's farmland falling under Russian control since the February 24 invasion.

"We are working hard indeed, but there is still a way to go," the UN chief told reporters.

Turkish Defence Minister Hulusi Akar said they would focus "on the safe shipment to international markets of grain waiting in Ukrainian ports". 

NATO member Turkey has been using its good relations with both the Kremlin and the Western-backed leaders in Kyiv to try and broker an agreement on a safe way to deliver the grain.

A plan by the UN proposes the ships follow safe "corridors" that run between the known location of mines.

Ukraine estimates that up to 25 million tonnes of grain are currently blocked in its ports.

The talks have been gaining momentum since Ukraine's recapture this month of the tiny but strategic Snake Island from the Russians.

Its return has already enabled Ukraine to start the first shipments along the nearby Danube River running to Romania.

The talks in Istanbul precede a meeting in Tehran next Tuesday between Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin.

The war in Ukraine has contributed to Turkey's mounting economic problems and further complicated Erdogan's path to a third decade in power in elections due within the next year.

Both Ukraine and Russia have laid out firm demands entering Wednesday's talks.

Ukraine said it sought to ensure any solution did not threaten "the security of our southern regions" along the Black Sea.

zak/gw/dhc

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