Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said in Turkey on the 8th that Russia is ready to work with Turkey to ensure the safe sailing of Ukrainian ships. Ukraine needs to clear the mines in the Black Sea ports by itself in order to resume food exports. Lavrov began his visit to Turkey on the 7th. On August 8, he met with Turkish Foreign Minister mevlut chavusholu in Ankara, the capital of Turkey. The topics discussed by the two men included feasible solutions to Ukraine's food export problem and the prospects for resuming the dialogue between Russia and Ukraine. At the joint press conference after the meeting, Lavrov said that Russia had previously made necessary commitments on Ukrainian grain exports. "We declare every day that we are ready to ensure that ships leave Ukrainian ports and sail to the (Bosporus) Strait, and we will cooperate with Turkey in this regard." He said: "in order to solve the problem, the only thing that needs to be done is for the Ukrainian side to sail its own boat out of their port, or demine, or draw a safe corridor. It doesn't need anything else." Russia and Ukraine are both major exporters of agricultural products. The total export volume of wheat, corn and sunflower oil of the two countries account for 30%, 20% and 76% of the world's total. The escalation of the conflict between Russia and Ukraine has raised concerns about the lack of food supply in the global market. Ukrainian President vladimirzelensky said on the 6th that about 20million to 25million tons of grain could not be transported out of Ukraine. By the autumn of this year, this figure may reach 70million to 75million tons. The Ukrainian side designated Russia to block Ukrainian ports and prevent Ukrainian grain exports. Russia denies interfering with Uzbekistan's exports, pointing out that Uzbekistan has deployed a large number of mines in the Black Sea waters, endangering navigation safety. Turkey, Ukraine and Russia are all countries along the Black Sea. After the escalation of the conflict between Russia and Ukraine, Turkmenistan mediated from it. Turkey has previously indicated that it is willing to provide escort services for grain fleets departing from Ukrainian ports, although there are mines around those ports, some of which have drifted near the Turkish coast. Chavusholu said at the press conference that Turkmenistan believes that Russia's demand for the export of agricultural products is reasonable and legal. Since the escalation of the conflict between Russia and Ukraine, Russia has been subject to a number of sanctions from western countries, which has restricted the export of Russian agricultural products. Chavusholu said: "if we need to open the international market for Ukrainian grains (exports), it is also a legal requirement to remove the export barriers of Russia... We believe that Russia's requirement to transport its grains and sunflower seed oil to the world market is legal and reasonable." Regarding the prospect of Russia Ukraine dialogue, chavusholu said that Turkmenistan is "much more optimistic" than before about persuading Russia and Ukraine to return to the negotiating table aimed at ending the conflict. (Xinhua News Agency)