Russia Denies Ukraine Ceasefire Proposal Amid Intensified Black Sea Attacks

Ukraine has proposed a mutual halt to strikes on civilian facilities in the Black Sea to Russia, but Moscow says it has received no official proposal. The move comes as Russia intensifies attacks on grain ships and port infrastructure across the Black Sea, potentially affecting global food prices. Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Alexander Grushko stated that Moscow had not received any official proposals for a ceasefire.

The United Nations estimates that the strikes could significantly impact global food security, with wheat prices already climbing 20% since the beginning of the month to reach their highest level since March 2024. Ukraine has reported 35 Russian attacks on ships in port and 22 attacks on vessels at sea in July, prompting shipowners to suspend calls at ports around Odesa for nearly two weeks.