WNU Editor: The above chart shows the countries that are most dependent on wheat imports from Russia and Ukraine. This is why I am not surprised that the UN is now leading intense negotiations with Russia to unblock Ukrainian ports and release tens of millions of tonnes of grain to avert a global food crisis.
In the above graph I noticed that Turkey gets 90% of its grains from Russia and Ukraine. I guess that explains why Turkey is doing everything in its power to get Russia and Ukraine to cooperate on resuming grain exports .... Turkey struggles to push Russia, Ukraine into grain deal to avert food crisis (Reuters), and why Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov is in Turkey .... Russia open to Ukraine grain exports but demands conditions (AP). More here .... Turkey, Russia discuss efforts to restart Ukrainian grain exports (Al Jazeera).
Unfortunately the talks are not succeeding .... No Progress at Russia-Turkey Talks on Ukraine Grain Exports (Moscow Times/AFP).
A prediction.
I expect Turkish President Erdogan is going to try and cultivate better ties with Putin. He sees the EU is in a panic over the Russia - Ukraine war .... Turkish President Erdogan Says There Is Now Panic In Europe Over The Russia - Ukraine War (June 6, 2022), and my gut is telling me that Erdogan has made the decision that Russia is going to win the Ukraine war, or at least get what it wants out of this conflict.
This situation may also explain Erdogan's objections to Sweden and Finland from joining NATO. He wants to be on the winning side, and he certainly does not want to jeopardize grain shipments from Russia that his country is completely dependent on. What better way to guarantee these shipments by supporting the Kremlin. If not publicly, at least privately and through his actions on an issue that the Kremlin sees is critical to its national security.