Russia's Foreign Ministry on Friday dismissed the idea of a ceasefire with Ukraine in the Black Sea, saying it saw no grounds for "half-measures" that would offer a respite to Ukrainian forces.
Both Russia and Ukraine have stepped up attacks against commercial ships in the Black Sea in recent weeks, which has driven world grain prices higher.
In a statement, Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova accused Ukraine of "brazen acts of terrorism" against shipping while making no mention of Russia's own attacks.
"We view these attacks as a deliberate policy aimed at destabilizing civilian shipping in the Black Sea region, to escalate tensions further and prolong the conflict, all with the blatant acquiescence of regional neighbors," Zakharova said.
"At the same time, we see no signs of improvement in the situation and, consequently, no grounds for half-measures that merely grant the Kyiv regime temporary breathing space," she added.
Zakharova was responding to remarks by Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, who told media outlets that Ankara had put forward proposals to both sides for a moratorium on military operations in the Black Sea.
She said Russia has received no formal proposal from Turkey.
Reuters reported on Thursday that Ukraine had passed an offer to Russia through a third party to halt attacks on civilian ships in the Black Sea.
Zakharova also ruled out returning to the 2022-23 Black Sea Grain initiative brokered by Turkey and the UN. That arrangement allowed Russia and Ukraine — both major grain exporters — to safely ship grain through the Black Sea.
The agreement, which Zakharova called one-sided, collapsed after Russia pulled out, claiming Western commitments regarding its own exports were never fulfilled.
A Message from The Moscow Times:
Dear readers,
We are facing unprecedented challenges. Russia's Prosecutor General's Office has designated The Moscow Times as an "undesirable" organization, criminalizing our work and putting our staff at risk of prosecution. This follows our earlier unjust labeling as a "foreign agent."
These actions are direct attempts to silence independent journalism in Russia. The authorities claim our work "discredits the decisions of the Russian leadership." We see things differently: we strive to provide accurate, unbiased reporting on Russia.
We, the journalists of The Moscow Times, refuse to be silenced. But to continue our work, we need your help.
Your support, no matter how small, makes a world of difference. If you can, please support us monthly starting from just $2. It's quick to set up, and every contribution makes a significant impact.
By supporting The Moscow Times, you're defending open, independent journalism in the face of repression. Thank you for standing with us.
Remind me later.
