NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg said the Russian war on Ukraine had entered a "decisive stage" thanks to what he called Kyiv's counter-offensive, while the Kremlin revealed an upcoming meeting between Russian President Vladimir Putin and his Turkish counterpart Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

In a press conference with US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken, Stoltenberg stated that "Ukrainian forces were able to stop Moscow's offensive in Donbass, respond behind Russian lines and reclaim territory."

He explained that "only in the past few days we have witnessed further progress both in the south in Kherson, and in the east in the Kharkiv region."

He noted that this shows "the courage, skills and determination of the Ukrainian forces, and shows that our support makes a difference every day on the battlefield."

He pointed out that the solidarity of the West must not be shaken now, despite the energy crisis and the high cost of living.

"If Russia stops fighting, there will be peace. If Ukraine stops fighting, it will cease to exist as an independent country, so we must continue our efforts for the good of Ukraine and ours," Stoltenberg added.

The Ukrainian army said on Thursday evening that it had breached Russian defenses and had regained territory in several regions in the east.

The General Staff also announced what it described as a series of successes on several fronts across Ukraine.

The greatest progress was made in the Kharkiv border region with Russia in the northeast of the country, where Ukrainian forces confirm that they penetrated Russian defenses at a depth of 50 km, and recaptured more than 20 towns from Russian forces.

Stoltenberg (right) during the press conference with US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken (Reuters)

grain agreement

Meanwhile, the Kremlin announced on Friday that Russian President Vladimir Putin will discuss with his Turkish counterpart Recep Tayyip Erdogan the implementation of the grain export agreement from Ukraine.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters on Friday that a meeting between Putin and Erdogan to discuss the agreement was "possible and necessary."

"A conversation between Putin and Erdogan is already being prepared, and it will take place, we hope, in Samarkand," Peskov said, referring to an upcoming regional summit in Uzbekistan next week.

The agreement between Russia and Ukraine - sponsored by Turkey and the United Nations in July - specified three ports for Kiev to export grain under the Russian blockade.

Russia has increasingly denounced the deal, saying its exports are still suffering the consequences of Western sanctions.

Putin: We are ready to export "50 million tons or more" of Russian grain by the end of 2022 (Reuters)

Putin's statements

Putin announced this week that most shipments are arriving in Europe, not in poor countries where they are most needed, adding that at the start of a meeting of the Russian Security Council, "we consider it appropriate to increase supplies to the world's poorest countries."

Moscow has also accused the West of blocking Russian exports through sanctions it imposed over the war in Ukraine.

Putin stressed Friday that "there are technical issues that are currently being addressed even through the United Nations," adding that he is ready to export "50 million tons or more" of Russian grain by the end of 2022.

Putin also criticized the European Commission's decision to prevent "markets in Asia, Africa and Latin America" ​​from importing fertilizers from Russia and its ally Belarus through European ports.

"Discrimination against countries in Asia, Africa and Latin America is unacceptable," he said, adding that "this conversation (with Erdogan) is very necessary."

Ukraine and Russia are among the world's largest exporters of wheat and other grains, and the blockade of Ukrainian ports has pushed up global prices and raised fears of severe shortages.