Russian President Vladimir Putin and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan have met in Moscow to discuss a potential deal to source and store grain together. The meeting between the two leaders, who have developed a close relationship in recent years, indicates a shift in the power balance in the region.
The two leaders agreed to cooperate on grain production, storage, and transportation, according to reports. The move will provide Moscow with greater access to the Turkish grain market. It will also help improve Ankara’s food security and stability, as it can use Russian grain as a source of backup in case of a domestic shortage.
The meeting also serves as a sign of the increasing cooperation between Moscow and Ankara. The two countries have developed an increasingly close relationship since the beginning of the Syrian civil war. Turkey has sought to forge closer ties with Russia, despite their different international ideologies, seeking to establish itself as a strong regional player.
The grain deal is just one of many projects being developed between Moscow and Ankara. The two countries are also discussing joint energy projects, such as Nord Stream 2, and closer military ties. This meeting is likely to produce even more common grounds between the two nations in the form of discussions about security, economy, and culture.
