A tractor collects straw on a field in a private farm in Zhurivka, Kiev region, Ukraine on Thursday, Aug. 10, 2023 (AP Photo/Efrem Lukatsky)

Sputnik reported on Thursday, citing sources close to the matter, that there are still no specific dates set for the purported talks between Turkey, Russia, and the UN on the Black Sea Grain Deal in Istanbul, though Ankara expects them to take place in the near future.

"No, there are no specific dates yet. But we hope that a series of high-level contacts that are planned between the parties [Turkish and Russian] will lead to the fact that these negotiations will take place in the very near future," the source said.

The Milliyet newspaper reported earlier today, citing sources, that Turkey, Russia, and the UN may hold a meeting in Istanbul to discuss the grain deal.

On July 18, the grain deal expired and Russia did not renew its participation due to the West failing to stick its end of the deal, according to Moscow.

Russian authorities said that most of the grain was being delivered to Europe instead of those countries that were most in need.

On July 28, the Russian leadership expressed during a Russia-Africa Summit that Russia remains committed to assisting Africa with its food and energy needs.

On August 11, Russian Agriculture Minister Dmitry Patrushev said that Russian grain will be delivered to Africa free of charge in the near future.

"We will supply grain to African countries free of charge. So far, we are talking about six countries and supply volumes from 25,000 to 50,000 tons, this is being worked out now. I think that these deliveries will be carried out in the near future," Patrushev indicated.