Russia Rejects Black Sea Ceasefire Amid Escalating Attacks

Russia has dismissed the idea of a ceasefire in the Black Sea, citing 'half-measures' that would only give Ukraine a temporary reprieve from escalating attacks.

The country's Foreign Ministry spokeswoman, Maria Zakharova, accused Ukraine of committing 'brazen acts of terrorism' against shipping, driving up world grain prices.

Zakharova said Russia saw no signs of improvement in the situation and therefore no grounds for a ceasefire, despite Turkey's efforts to broker a moratorium on military operations in the Black Sea.

The agreement would have halted attacks on civilian targets, but Zakharova dismissed it as 'one-sided', citing Russia's previous accusations that Ukraine and its Western allies had failed to uphold their end of the 2022-23 Black Sea grain initiative.