Russia has dismissed the idea of a ceasefire in the Black Sea, saying it sees no justification for what it described as "half-measures" that would provide Ukraine with temporary relief. The statement came amid renewed diplomatic efforts to reduce hostilities and safeguard commercial shipping in the region.
Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova said Moscow had not received any official proposal regarding a Black Sea ceasefire. She accused Ukraine of deliberately targeting civilian shipping to escalate tensions and rejected suggestions that Russia should agree to a temporary halt in hostilities.
The comments follow reports that Turkey has been trying to mediate a pause in Black Sea attacks after increasing strikes on commercial vessels disrupted grain exports and raised concerns over global food supplies. Ukraine had also reportedly conveyed, through a third party, a proposal to suspend attacks on civilian shipping in the region.
Russia also ruled out reviving the earlier Black Sea Grain Initiative, arguing that the previous agreement was unfair to Moscow and had not been properly implemented. The collapse of that deal has continued to affect grain exports from the region and contributed to volatility in global food markets.
