Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has said Ukraine is ready to support a proposed maritime truce in the Black Sea, calling on Russia to respond to proposals aimed at restoring safe commercial shipping and improving food security.
Zelenskyy made the remarks on Wednesday, September 23, on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly in New York, as diplomatic efforts to reduce tensions between Russia and Ukraine continued.
According to Zelenskyy, Egypt, India and Turkey have put forward proposals for restoring safe navigation for merchant vessels in the Black Sea. He said Ukraine was prepared to support such arrangements if Russia was also willing to take steps towards reducing tensions.
“We are waiting for Russia’s response. Ukraine is ready … to ensure safe shipping and food security in the Black Sea if Russia is ready to take real steps towards de-escalation too. We have to start somewhere,” Zelenskyy said.
The proposal comes amid continuing attacks on shipping and infrastructure connected to Black Sea trade. The region is an important route for the export of agricultural products, making the security of commercial vessels a significant issue for global food supplies.
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Ukraine has previously called for agreements covering attacks on energy infrastructure and Black Sea shipping. Kyiv has also been seeking measures to protect its ports and maintain the movement of food exports.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said on Wednesday that both Russia and Ukraine had expressed interest in a limited ceasefire involving grain and energy-related targets. Rubio made the comments after meeting Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov in New York.
“I think both sides have expressed an interest in some limited ceasefire that involve grain and energy,” Rubio told reporters, while acknowledging that reaching an agreement would not be easy.
However, Russia has not publicly indicated that it is prepared to accept a maritime or energy truce, and it remains unclear whether Moscow has agreed to the latest proposals.
The developments come as world leaders gather in New York for the annual UN General Assembly, where the war in Ukraine and efforts to find a path towards de-escalation remain major international issues.
For Ukraine, a maritime truce could help protect commercial shipping and support the continued movement of agricultural exports through the Black Sea. However, Kyiv is waiting for Moscow to respond to the proposals.
