Turkish National Defense Minister Hulusi Akar positively assessed the course of negotiations on the "grain issue" in Istanbul.

"As a result of the meeting held in a positive and constructive atmosphere, we see that the parties are ready to solve this problem," Akar told reporters.

The UN has repeatedly stated the threat of a food crisis due to grain shortages, the West has accused Russia of obstructing the supply of Ukrainian grain to world markets, Moscow has categorically denied such accusations. At the same time, the Kiev authorities themselves have created many obstacles for the export of grain: in addition to the revealed arson in the port of Mariupol, the Ukrainian troops have mined the water area of the Black Sea, which does not allow to carry grain to world markets by ships.