Ukraine proposes Black Sea ceasefire as partners open talks with Russia
Volodymyr Zelenskyy, President of Ukraine (photo: facebook.com/zelenskyy.official)
Ukraine has proposed a reciprocal ceasefire in the Black Sea. Partners have responded positively to the initiative, but the final decision depends on their talks with Russia, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy told reporters.
The president spoke about separate conversations with the leaders of Egypt, India, Türkiye, and representatives of Middle Eastern countries. At the same time, the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry held corresponding consultations with its counterparts.
"These countries have asked us, and we have also asked them, to unblock the Black Sea. There were proposals from these countries, and we said: let's have a reciprocal ceasefire in the Black Sea so that goods, primarily agricultural products, can be delivered to the respective countries without problems," the president said.
Zelenskyy added that the countries responded positively to the initiative, while some of them presented their own views on what the format should look like.
"We are waiting for a response from these countries, which were supposed to contact the Russian side after us or in parallel. So far, we have not received a response," the president stressed.
Energy Minister Denys Shmyhal said that Ukraine is ready for a comprehensive ceasefire that would include not only the protection of energy infrastructure but also security in the Black Sea.
Zelenskyy also met with Türkiye President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and discussed security in the Black Sea with him.
