Russia rejects Ukrainian proposal for Black Sea ceasefire

Russia's Foreign Ministry on Friday rejected a Ukrainian proposal for a Black Sea ceasefire, stating it sees no grounds for "partial measures" that would offer respite to Ukrainian forces. The ministry accused Ukraine of "brazen terrorist acts" against shipping, while claiming not to have received any official proposal from Turkey.

"We view these attacks as a deliberate policy aimed at destabilizing civilian shipping in the Black Sea region, further increasing tensions and prolonging the conflict, to which the region's neighbors are clearly silently consenting," said spokeswoman Maria Zakharova. She did not mention Russian attacks.

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We view these attacks as a deliberate policy aimed at destabilizing civilian shipping in the Black Sea region, further increasing tensions and prolonging the conflict, to which the region's neighbors are clearly silently consenting.

Reuters reported Thursday that Ukraine had also conveyed a proposal to Russia, through a third country, to cease attacks on civilian vessels in the Black Sea. "We see no signs of improvement in the situation, and therefore there is no basis for partial measures that would only provide temporary respite to the Kyiv regime," Zakharova added.

Zakharova also dismissed the possibility of returning to the safe passage of grain through the Black Sea initiative, brokered by Turkey and the United Nations between 2022-2023. Moscow withdrew from it, stating that the West had not fulfilled its obligations regarding exports from Russia. Turkey's Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan had called for a moratorium on military attacks in the Black Sea waters following a series of attacks on civilian vessels.

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We see no signs of improvement in the situation, and therefore there is no basis for partial measures that would only provide temporary respite to the Kyiv regime.