Erdogan says Turkey to continue grain deal efforts after Russia hesitates

ISTANBUL, Oct 31 (Reuters) – Turkey will continue its efforts for the Black Sea grain export deal despite Russian hesitancy, President Tayyip Erdogan said on Monday after Russia suspended its participation in the initiative at the weekend.

“Even if Russia behaves hesitantly because it didn’t receive the same benefits, we will continue decisively our efforts to serve humanity,” Erdogan said in a speech.

Separately, a U.N. spokesperson said the first of 40 planned ship inspections on Monday had been completed in Istanbul waters with a team of just U.N. and Turkish members, rather than the previous four-member teams including Russians and Ukrainians before Moscow’s suspension. (Reporting by Nevzat Devranoglu, Ezgi Erkoyun, Jonathan Spicer; Writing by Daren Butler; Editing by Ece Toksabay)