Zelenskyy: Ukraine ready for Black Sea maritime ceasefire — “the ball is now in Russia’s court”

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy told leaders at the United Nations on Wednesday that Ukraine is ready for a Black Sea maritime ceasefire based on proposals from Egypt, India and Turkey, and that it is now up to Russia to respond.

Zelenskyy was speaking at the summit of Ukraine’s Crimea Platform, held on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly, shortly before a Security Council meeting devoted to Russia’s war in Ukraine.

According to Zelenskyy, Egypt, India and Turkey have put forward options for restoring the safe navigation of merchant ships in the Black Sea, where cargo movements have come to a near standstill because of heavy attacks on vessels and port infrastructure by both sides.

“We are awaiting Russia’s response. Ukraine is ready … to guarantee safe navigation and food security in the Black Sea, if Russia is also ready to take real steps toward de-escalation. We have to start somewhere,” Zelenskyy said.

Ukraine fears Russia plans to strike energy and heating facilities with missiles and drones this winter, and is seeking ceasefires covering energy infrastructure and Black Sea navigation. Meanwhile, major grain importers in Asia, the Middle East and Africa are struggling to secure supplies, as global wheat prices have risen sharply.

Zelenskyy was expected to address the UN General Assembly later on Wednesday. On Tuesday he met with U.S. President Donald Trump, with whom he also discussed a possible ceasefire for energy facilities. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said after meeting Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov on Wednesday that both Russia and Ukraine have expressed interest in a limited ceasefire covering grain and energy.

The Kremlin has not publicly endorsed the proposals; spokesman Dmitry Peskov said there are currently no preconditions for moving to a peaceful negotiating track, even though Russia “remains open” to talks. Zelenskyy said on Tuesday he is ready to meet Russian President Vladimir Putin in a three-way meeting with Trump.

Source: Reuters