Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and his French counterpart Emmanuel Macron on Sunday discussed the "functioning" of a sea corridor set up by Kyiv for safe navigation of ships after Moscow exited a landmark grain deal.

Their phone call came on the eve of a summit in Russia between President Vladimir Putin and his Turkish counterpart Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who wants to revive the grain deal.

"We discussed ways to ensure the functioning of the grain corridor and enhance the security of the Odesa region," Zelensky said on social media.

• Turkey may be key to salvaging Ukraine's Black Sea grain exports

Zelensky also thanked Macron for France's "crucial military aid" to Kyiv and said the pair "discussed the next packages."

Ukraine this week said four more ships had gone through its temporary maritime corridor in the Black Sea, which it had set up last month to ensure safe navigation.

Erdogan is due to meet Putin in Russia's Black Sea resort of Sochi on Monday, amid hopes for the revival of the deal.

'Unjustified' attacks

Following the collapse in July of the United Nations-brokered deal, Russia has ramped up attacks on Ukraine's southern Odesa and Mykolaiv regions, home to ports and infrastructure that are vital for the shipment of grain.

"Everything is ahead of us."

Read more on RFI English

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