Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu spoke by phone with Turkish Defense Minister Hulusi Akar, yesterday, at the initiative of the Turkish side. “Within these talks, the current situation in northern Syria was discussed, as well as certain issues related to the continuation of the Black Sea Initiative,” the Russian readout reported. According to the Turkish statement, “Satisfaction was expressed with the extension of the grain initiative, which is making a great contribution to efforts to overcome a global food crisis, as well as with cooperation and interaction on the issue,” reported TASS.