Russia Rejects Ukraine's Black Sea Shipping Truce Proposal
Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Russia has rejected Ukraine's proposal for a ceasefire on agricultural shipping in the Black Sea, but is willing to discuss a truce covering energy infrastructure.
The rejection comes as both countries face disruptions to their grain exports due to ongoing conflict. Ukraine's Greater Odesa ports handle about 90% of the country's grain shipments, and have exported around 500,000 tonnes since August, one-fifth of its potential shipments.
Zelenskyy also proposed that foreign vessels could be used to transport both Ukrainian and Russian agricultural goods, but acknowledged Russia was not ready to accept this proposal. The idea of holding elections during the ongoing war has been ruled out by Zelenskyy, who described it as a 'tsunami' for Ukraine.