Zelenskiy: Russia Not Ready for Grain Ship Ceasefire

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said Russia is not prepared to agree to a ceasefire on attacks on Black Sea vessels carrying agricultural produce, as Moscow wants to tie any such deal to a halt in Ukrainian strikes on Russian refineries and pipelines.

Speaking to journalists on Sunday, Zelenskiy said he had proposed that third-country vessels be used to transport food from Ukrainian ports, with an assurance that they would not be attacked if they also picked up agricultural exports from Russia. Moscow, however, sought a reciprocal arrangement: it would stop targeting Ukraine's grain corridor only if Kyiv ceased strikes on Russian energy infrastructure.

"For Russia, it's not about the grain. It's exclusively about their energy sector, but the two are not comparable," Zelenskiy said. He added that any agreement to stop Ukrainian attacks on Russian oil refineries and fuel transportation would have to include a mutual halt on strikes against Ukraine's energy system.

Both Moscow and Kyiv, major players in global agriculture markets, have accused each other of intensifying attacks on vessels used for food exports during Russia's war in Ukraine. Earlier this month, Ukraine reportedly sent Russia an offer to halt attacks on civilian targets in the Black Sea, but Russia dismissed the idea, saying it saw no grounds for "half-measures" that would give the other side a respite.

The Kremlin did not immediately comment on Zelenskiy's remarks. On Monday, however, it said measures were being taken to minimise the impact of Ukrainian strikes on Russian grain exports.

Ukraine has stepped up attacks on Russian economic targets in recent weeks, including grain export terminals. Last winter, the harshest of the war, millions of Ukrainians were often left without power and heating as Russia focused its attacks on Ukraine's electricity network, leaving many apprehensive about the months ahead.