Rubio Weighs Türkiye Plan to Restore Black Sea Grain Flow
(MENAFN) US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Saturday that Washington is reviewing proposals to get grain moving through the Black Sea again, including one from Türkiye, and that work to safeguard global food security must go on despite the Russia-Ukraine war.
Speaking at a news conference in Atlanta after a G20 foreign ministers’ meeting, Rubio said Türkiye and India had both offered ideas for restoring grain shipments, which the conflict has disrupted.
“We are examining proposals, for example, that were forwarded to us ... from Türkiye in that regard. And we’ll continue to explore that,” Rubio said, adding that Washington would welcome efforts to facilitate an arrangement.
He warned, however, that such a deal would not end the broader conflict.
“It doesn’t solve the war, but at least it solves a unique aspect of it,” he said, pointing to the toll that disrupted Black Sea trade takes on global food security, particularly in vulnerable countries.
International interest in brokering an agreement has revived, Rubio said, with several countries weighing roles as possible guarantors or facilitators.
Rubio also defended keeping diplomatic channels open with Moscow, arguing that a negotiated settlement requires the ability to speak to both sides.
“How can you have a negotiated settlement between Russia and Ukraine if you don’t have the ability to talk to both Russia and Ukraine?” he asked.
“Putting everything else aside, it is always important that the United States and Russia have communications at some level because of the danger of escalation in the future,” he added.
Washington remains committed to exploring a diplomatic end to the war, Rubio said, but he noted that no breakthrough is imminent.
Speaking at a news conference in Atlanta after a G20 foreign ministers’ meeting, Rubio said Türkiye and India had both offered ideas for restoring grain shipments, which the conflict has disrupted.
“We are examining proposals, for example, that were forwarded to us ... from Türkiye in that regard. And we’ll continue to explore that,” Rubio said, adding that Washington would welcome efforts to facilitate an arrangement.
He warned, however, that such a deal would not end the broader conflict.
“It doesn’t solve the war, but at least it solves a unique aspect of it,” he said, pointing to the toll that disrupted Black Sea trade takes on global food security, particularly in vulnerable countries.
International interest in brokering an agreement has revived, Rubio said, with several countries weighing roles as possible guarantors or facilitators.
Rubio also defended keeping diplomatic channels open with Moscow, arguing that a negotiated settlement requires the ability to speak to both sides.
“How can you have a negotiated settlement between Russia and Ukraine if you don’t have the ability to talk to both Russia and Ukraine?” he asked.
“Putting everything else aside, it is always important that the United States and Russia have communications at some level because of the danger of escalation in the future,” he added.
Washington remains committed to exploring a diplomatic end to the war, Rubio said, but he noted that no breakthrough is imminent.
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