Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan suggested to his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin to extend the grain agreement, which allowed the Black Sea ports to be opened for the export of Ukrainian grain. This is reported by Reuters.

 "We are determined to increase and continue grain exports within the framework of the Istanbul Agreement," he said, noting that this should also apply to the transportation of Russian grain and fertilizers through Turkey.

 Putin said at the meeting that not enough grain is reaching the poorest countries. Russia also says its own grain and fertilizer exports, while not subject to direct Western sanctions, are held back by problems with access to foreign ports and difficulties in obtaining insurance.

 At the same time, Putin said that Turkey is the most reliable route for delivering gas to the European Union and suggested creating a "gas hub" there.

 "During the operation of this hub, which we could create together, of course, it would be a platform not only for supply, but also for determining the price, because this is a very important issue - the issue of pricing," Putin said.

 At the same time, he stated that "today, we could easily regulate these exorbitant prices at a normal market level."

 The proposal comes as Russia seeks to maintain its energy influence in Europe while diverting supplies from the Baltic gas pipeline Nord Stream, damaged by explosions last month.