Ukraine has sent Russia a proposal for a mutual cessation of attacks on civilian targets in the Black Sea, a source reported. This comes amid concerns about threats to global food supplies after several weeks of intense attacks on ships and port infrastructure.
The proposal to cease attacks was conveyed by Kyiv through a third party, and Ukraine is still awaiting a response, a source familiar with the situation told Reuters. Both countries, which are major players in the global agricultural market, accuse each other of intensifying attacks on ships used for exporting agricultural products.
Due to fears of Russian strikes on dozens of vessels under foreign flags and port infrastructure, many shipowners have stopped entering the ports of the Odesa region, which are crucial for grain exports. This has forced Kyiv to seek alternative routes for shipping products.
Reaction from Russia and Turkey
Russia has not made any immediate public statements regarding Ukraine’s proposal. Before the Reuters report, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Alexander Grushko stated that Moscow had not received any official proposal for a ceasefire in the Black Sea. “Recently, we have heard many calls for various kinds of moratoriums and truces. These ideas are put forward through different channels, but we have not received any official proposals,” the Russian state news agency TASS quoted him as saying.
After the Reuters report on Ukraine’s proposal, September futures for wheat Euronext BL2U6 fell, losing a significant portion of their previous gains. Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan said on Saturday that a proposal for a moratorium on attacks in the Black Sea had been conveyed to Russia and Ukraine.
Russia’s de facto blockade of Ukrainian Black Sea ports in the Odesa region has led to a 76% year-on-year decrease in Ukrainian grain exports as of August. The agricultural sector warns of significant consequences for the economy if the blockade situation continues.
Source: Channel NewsAsia
