Russia dismisses Black Sea ceasefire, citing no grounds for 'half-measures' amid escalating attacks

London: Russia 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 the other side.

Both Russia and Ukraine have stepped up attacks in recent weeks against commercial ships in the Black Sea, ‌driving 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.


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"We view these ​attacks (by Ukraine) as a deliberate policy aimed at destabilising civilian shipping in the Black Sea region to further escalate tensions and prolong ​the conflict, all with the blatant acquiescence ⁠of regional ‌neighbours," 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 ​a temporary breathing space."

Zakharova said she was commenting ​on a statement by Turkey's Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan in a media interview that Ankara had put proposals to both Russia and Ukraine for a moratorium on military operations in the Black Sea.

She said Russia had received no formal proposal from Turkey.

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Reuters reported ‌on Thursday that Ukraine has transmitted an offer to Russia, via a third party, for both sides to ​halt attacks ​on civilian targets ⁠in the Black Sea.

Zakharova said it was not feasible to return to the 2022-23 Black Sea grain initiative brokered by Turkey, an arrangement that allowed Russia and Ukraine - both major grain exporters - to continue to supply world markets. The agreement, which she called one-sided, broke down after Russia accused Ukraine and the West of failing to honour their side of the deal.