Turkey Probes Origin of Grain on Russian Ship

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Turkey has begun an investigation into the origin of grain aboard a Russian ship anchored off its Black Sea port of Karasu.

The ambassador to Ankara, Vasyl Bodnar, said on Friday that his country had urged Turkey to take necessary actions over the "Zhibek Zholy," which left Russian occupied Berdyansk with some 7,000 tons of grain on board.

Russia has been accused of taking grain from territories it has occupied by the Ukrainians. Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said on Monday that the vessel was Russian, but he was not sure what had happened.

He said that the cargo was being carried on a contract between Estonia and Turkey and that the ship was Russian-flagged.

The ship has yet to dock or unload and is waiting off the port as Turkey investigates the origin and trajectory of the shipment, according to officials who spoke on condition of anonymity.

Turkey is handling the situation with care as it works to arrange four-way talks with the United Nations, Russia and Ukraine to reestablish a Black Sea corridor to restart Ukrainian food shipments disrupted by the war. He said it could host the UN-backed dialogue as soon as next week.

The president of Turkey said last week that his country had about 20 ships in the region ready to move grain for Ukraine. The products will be re-exported to third countries.

Grain shipments are being held up because of the war in Ukraine. World leaders are attempting to avert food shortages that could lead to increasing political unrest across the globe as trade disruptions have sent costs for crops, fuel and fertilizers soaring and food prices rise at the fastest clip ever.

There is a food crisis in Africa.