Russia Rejects Ceasefire with Ukraine in the Black Sea

Russia has rejected the possibility of a ceasefire with Ukraine in the Black Sea, where both sides have intensified attacks on commercial shipping in recent weeks.

Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said Moscow saw no room for “half-measures”, which she argued would only offer Kyiv temporary relief. She accused Ukraine of carrying out attacks aimed at destabilizing civilian shipping, making no mention of Russian strikes.

She was responding to remarks by Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, who said Ankara had submitted proposals to both countries for a moratorium on military operations in the Black Sea.

Zakharova said Russia had not received any formal proposal from Turkey. Reuters had previously reported that Ukraine, through a third party, had proposed a mutual halt to attacks on civilian targets. Moscow, however, rejects a return to the original Black Sea grain agreement.

(Reuters, mja)