Turkish Defense Minister Hulusi Akar spoke with his Ukrainian counterpart Alexey Reznikov and Ukrainian Infrastructure Minister Alexander Kubrakov on the "grain deal" on November 1, TRT Haber TV channel reported.

The ministers discussed the possibility of extending the deal. According to Acar, the agreement greatly contributed to the resolution of the global food crisis by sending about 10 million tons of grain.

Besides, the head of the Ministry of Defense of Turkey called to separate the humanitarian grain initiative from the situation with the conflict in Ukraine.

On July 22, representatives of Russia, Ukraine, Turkey, and the UN signed agreements in Istanbul to lift restrictions on the export of Russian products and on Russia's assistance in the export of Ukrainian grain. The deal involves exporting Ukrainian grain, food, and fertilizers via the Black Sea from three ports, including Odesa.

On October 29, Russia suspended its participation in the grain deal after, according to Russia, the Ukrainian armed forces carried out massive air and sea strikes using drones on ships and infrastructure of the Russian Black Sea Fleet in Sevastopol. Damage was sustained by a vessel involved in a grain deal.