Turkey’s Erdogan can block Bosphorus for Russian ships – Feygin

He said this on the air of the Espreso TV channel.

"Erdogan is acting in his own interests, not Putin's. The grain deal provided up to 25% of Turkey's profit for ensuring the transit of grain to countries in Africa and Asia that need it. Turkey needs these funds, it has a difficult economic situation. Erdogan is in favour of extending the deal and is actively urging Moscow to return to the agreement with the UN. It is another matter that Erdogan can work on some issues of easing UN sanctions. But as for military and political issues, Erdogan will not conduct any political negotiations, because this is Ukraine's area of responsibility, and Ukraine will not do this," Feygin stressed.

According to him, Turkey can escort cargoes leaving the ports of Odesa and Mykolaiv with its navy and ships.

"This is an extreme situation, as it can cause an escalation. Since the collision will take place with Turkish warships, which are NATO members, it is clear what this could lead to. Erdogan will insist on making concessions to the Kremlin and negotiate some other concessions that do not involve Ukraine. Moscow demands much more, and it does not publicly voice everything. Moscow loves agreements: you give us something, we give you something," Feygin said.

The Russian opposition politician also added that the Kremlin will always demand guarantees from Erdogan, the UN, and the West to force Kyiv to the negotiating table.

"Putin thought that Ukraine would demand a truce and peace talks. That's what Putin wanted to exchange the grain deal for, but he failed, it didn't happen. However, he has not abandoned such plans. If this is not the way to solve the problem, then at least address the security of the Crimean bridge and facilities in Crimea and prohibit Ukraine from attacking them. Putin will try to solve this. As for Erdogan himself, he also has leverage over Moscow. He can block the Bosphorus for Russian ships, and not only for military ones," Feygin said.

What is known about Russia's withdrawal from the grain deal

On July 16, the last ship loaded with Ukrainian agricultural products under the initiative left the port of Odesa. On July 17, Russia announced the termination of the grain deal. In response, Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that it was necessary to continue using the grain corridor even despite Russia's withdrawal from the agreement. And Kuleba began urgent consultations at the UN.

The White House has condemned Russia's withdrawal from the grain deal, which played a crucial role in lowering global food prices.

On July 18, Russian presidential spokesman Dmitry Peskov reported "certain risks" for parties that try to resume the Black Sea Grain Initiative without Russia's participation.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said that in order to provide food to the world's most vulnerable countries and preserve the ability to export Ukrainian goods, it is critical to restore transportation links across the Black Sea.

On July 19, it became known that Ukraine is considering transporting food as part of the grain initiative through the territorial waters of Bulgaria and neighboring Romania.

At the same time, the Russian Defense Ministry issued a statement threatening ships heading to Ukraine's Black Sea ports. On the same day, Putin named the conditions for Russia's return to the grain deal and demanded their immediate implementation.

The EU's top diplomat, Josep Borrell, said that the only response to Russia's threats to fire on Ukrainian grain ships could be to increase military aid to Ukraine.

Ukraine’s Ministry of Defense announced that starting July 21, all ships heading to the Black Sea in the direction of Russian seaports and Ukrainian ports in the temporarily occupied territory may be treated by Ukraine as military cargo.

On July 21, Recep Tayyip Erdogan said he wanted to discuss the extension of the grain deal with his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin and expressed confidence that it will work again.

The same day, US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken expressed hope that Turkey will help bring Russia back to the Black Sea Grain Initiative, which it disrupted earlier in the week.