Voice International Desk, 15 August – Ukraine has proposed a ceasefire in the Black Sea to help ensure the safety of commercial shipping, but Russia has rejected the initiative, saying it does not believe in a “partial” ceasefire.
Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova said Moscow had rejected the proposal partly because of recent Ukrainian attacks targeting Russian vessels in the Black Sea. She described the attacks as “brazen terrorist attacks” and accused Kyiv of deliberately seeking to destabilize maritime navigation, escalate tensions and prolong the conflict.
“We do not see any signs of improvement in the situation. Therefore, there is no basis for this ceasefire, and Russia does not believe in a partial ceasefire,” Zakharova said in a statement.
The Black Sea remains crucial to Ukraine’s economy, particularly for agricultural exports. Ukraine is one of the world’s leading producers of wheat, corn and sunflower seeds, while agricultural products are a major source of its foreign-currency earnings.
Before Russia’s full-scale invasion in 2022, Ukraine exported large quantities of grain through its Black Sea ports, particularly Odesa, to European markets. A UN- and Turkey-brokered grain deal later enabled exports to continue, but the arrangement became ineffective after Russia declined to extend it in 2023.
Ukraine subsequently relied on alternative routes through the Black Sea, as well as rail and the Danube River, although these routes are generally more expensive.
Turkey has also been seeking to improve maritime security in the region. Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan recently said Ankara had sent proposals to both Russia and Ukraine aimed at ensuring the safe passage of commercial vessels through the Black Sea.
However, in Friday’s statement, Zakharova said Moscow had not yet officially received any such proposal.
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