The implementation of the grain deal has shown that a diplomatic solution to the situation in Ukraine is possible, Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan said.

"In these difficult days, when humanitarian values have been tested, Turkey has shared its means with those who need them. We have worked intensively from day one to end the war between Russia and Ukraine. We have shown that a diplomatic solution is possible through a grain corridor across the Black Sea and a prisoner exchange agreement. The crisis, which began with an epidemic and continued with rising energy prices, continues, taking on a new dimension," Erdogan said, speaking in Istanbul.

The grain deal, which was signed July 22 by representatives of Russia, Turkey, Ukraine and the United Nations, involves the export of Ukrainian grain, food and fertilizer by the Black Sea from three ports, including Odessa. The contract expired on November 18, but implied an automatic extension for 120 days in the absence of objections from any of the parties. Earlier, the Russian Foreign Ministry said that "no such objections have been received," while noting that the Russian side allows for a technical prolongation of the "Black Sea initiative" on the export of Ukrainian grain without any changes in the terms and scope.