Russia backs Ukraine grain exports but wants sanctions eased

Ukraine’s government was not represented at the Ankara meeting but has expressed concerns that removing mines from its ports to facilitate grain exports could allow Russia to attack its southern coast

Russian foreign minister Sergey Lavrov, left, and Turkish foreign minister Mevlut Cavusoglu shake hands at the end of a joint news conference in Ankara (Burhan Ozbilici/AP)

Russia and Turkey have voiced support for the creation of a safe maritime corridor in the Black Sea so Ukraine can export grain to global markets amid an escalating world food crisis.

A Turkish minister said the move should also be accompanied by the easing of western sanctions against Russia for its invasion of Ukraine.