Russia Rejects Black Sea Ceasefire Proposal Citing Temporary Relief

Russia has rejected a proposed ceasefire in the Black Sea with Ukraine, calling it 'half-measures' that would only provide temporary relief to Kyiv. This decision comes as both sides escalate attacks on commercial vessels, contributing to rising global grain prices.

The Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson, Maria Zakharova, accused Ukraine of carrying out 'blatant terrorist acts' targeting maritime navigation. She stated that Ukrainian strikes are a deliberate policy aimed at destabilizing civilian navigation across the Black Sea region.

Russia has not received any formal proposal from Turkey on halting military operations in the Black Sea, despite public remarks by Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan suggesting Ankara had submitted proposals to both Russia and Ukraine. Zakharova also clarified that it is impossible to return to the 2022-2023 Black Sea Grain Initiative, a Turkish-brokered agreement that enabled both Russia and Ukraine to continue supplying international markets.