Impoverished nations in Africa will be given priority regarding new grain shipments from Ukraine, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan said.

Erdogan told his party members in parliament that Russian President Vladimir Putin had suggested prioritising countries including Somalia, Djibouti and Sudan, and that he agreed with the idea.

The Turkish leader added that Ankara’s diplomatic efforts helped convince Moscow to return to the grain deal.

“Following our call with Mr Putin yesterday, Russian Defence Minister Shoigu called our Defence Minister Hulusi Akar to say that grain shipments will continue as previously planned starting from 12 o’clock today,’’ he said.

The Turkish Defence Ministry later confirmed that shipments had started at noon (0900 GMT) as promised.