Ukraine offers Russia ceasefire in Black Sea — Reuters

2 hours ago

Ukraine has sent Russia a proposal to stop attacks on civilian targets in the Black Sea, a source familiar with the situation told Reuters.

Both countries have warned that the attacks on ships and ports pose a growing threat to global food security. The proposal to stop the attacks was conveyed by Kiev through a third party. Ukraine is still waiting for a response.

Russia and Ukraine, which play a key role in the global agricultural market, have accused each other of increasing attacks on ships transporting agricultural products.

Russia's strikes on dozens of foreign-flagged ships and port infrastructure have prompted many shipowners to suspend access to ports in the Odessa region. Odessa is a major hub for grain exports, forcing Kiev to use alternative shipping routes.

Russia has not yet commented publicly on the issue. The report came after Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Alexander Grushko said Moscow had not received an official proposal for a ceasefire in the Black Sea.

“We have been hearing a lot of calls for various moratoriums and ceasefires lately. These ideas are being put forward through various channels. But we have not received any official proposals,” he told the state news agency TASS.

After a Reuters report on the Ukrainian proposal, wheat futures on the Euronext exchange fell again after a sharp rise. On August 8, Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan said that a proposal to declare a moratorium on attacks in the Black Sea had been submitted to Russia and Ukraine.

Russia’s de facto blockade of Ukrainian ports in the Odessa region reduced Ukrainian grain exports in August by 76 percent compared to the same period in 2025. Representatives of the agricultural sector are warning of dire consequences for the economy if the situation continues. Earlier, it was reported that Turkey had restricted ship movement in the Black Sea due to the conflicts between Russia and Ukraine.