The European Union is concerned that Turkey's partnership with Russia is too close, despite Russia's war of aggression in Ukraine and harsh Western sanctions against Moscow.

The deepening of economic relations between Turkey and Russia gives "reason for great concern," according to a letter from EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell to the EU Parliament, quoted by the Funke media group. Turkey's continued policy "not to join the EU's restrictive measures against Russia" is also worrying.

According to the report, Borrell pointed out that the EU and Turkey form a customs union and thus grant free movement of goods, which also includes "dual use" goods - i.e. goods that can be used for civil and military purposes. It is important that Turkey does not offer Russia any workarounds, Borrell warned.

Talks with Russia and Ukraine

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan wants to hold talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy this Sunday. The aim is to "strengthen" the corridor for cargo ships in the Black Sea set up with the grain agreement, Erdogan announced. He did not give details.

Mediated by Turkey and the United Nations, Russia and Ukraine signed an agreement in July to export Ukrainian grain via a corridor in the Black Sea. The agreement ended a months-long blockade on Ukraine's grain exports as a result of Russia's war of aggression. Ships en route to or from Ukrainian ports are checked at a joint center in Istanbul by teams made up of Ukrainian, Russian, Turkish and UN representatives.