Russia dismissed the prospect of a Black Sea ceasefire today, saying there were no grounds for what it called half-measures that would only give Ukraine a temporary reprieve.
Both Russia and Ukraine have intensified attacks on commercial vessels in recent weeks in the Black Sea, a key corridor for global grain shipments. The escalation has pushed world grain prices higher, according to market watchers.
In a statement, Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova accused Ukraine of what she described as brazen acts of terrorism against shipping. She did not address Russia’s own strikes.
“We view these attacks as a deliberate policy aimed at destabilising civilian shipping in the Black Sea region to further escalate tensions and prolong the conflict, all with the blatant acquiescence of regional neighbours,” Zakharova said. She added, “we see no signs of improvement in the situation and, consequently, no grounds for half-measures that merely grant the Kyiv regime a temporary breathing space.”
Turkey’s proposal for a Black Sea ceasefire
Zakharova said she was responding to remarks by Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, who said in a media interview that Ankara had presented both Russia and Ukraine with proposals for a moratorium on military operations in the Black Sea. She said Russia had received no formal proposal from Turkey.
Separately, Ukraine transmitted an offer to Russia via a third party to halt attacks on civilian targets in the Black Sea, Reuters reported on Thursday.
Grain deal not seen as viable
Zakharova also said it was not feasible to revive the 2022-23 Black Sea grain initiative that Turkey helped broker. That arrangement had allowed both Russia and Ukraine, major grain exporters, to continue supplying global markets.
The deal collapsed after Moscow accused Kyiv and Western countries of failing to meet their commitments, and Zakharova called the agreement one-sided.
For Hawaiʻi consumers and businesses exposed to global food costs, continued disruption to Black Sea shipping and the lack of a Black Sea ceasefire could keep grain prices volatile in the months ahead. Those price swings could echo past concerns about basic goods in Hawaiʻi similar to issues raised when Tropical Storm Lala formed unusually close to the islands.
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