Erdogan, Putin hold talks, Ukraine on agenda

STORY: The two leaders discussed several topics, including energy security and grain exports, in a televised exchange.

Erdogan has sought to mediate between Moscow and Kyiv since Russian forces invaded Ukraine on February 24.

He achieved a rare diplomatic breakthrough when, together with the United Nations, he brokered an agreement in July allowing for the resumption of commercial Ukrainian grain exports from Black Sea ports that Russia had blockaded.

Putin said at Thursday's meeting that not enough of the grain was going to the poorest countries.

Russia also says its own grain and fertilizer exports, while not directly targeted by Western sanctions, are being hampered by problems with access to foreign ports and difficulties in obtaining insurance.

Erdogan and Putin's meeting was on the sidelines of the Conference on Interaction and Confidence Building Measures in Asia summit.