Reuters: Russia dismisses Black Sea ceasefire idea after Ukraine’s offer

Moscow has rejected Ukraine's proposal for a Black Sea ceasefire on August 14, Reuters reported, after Ukraine suggested a mutual halt to attacks on civilian targets. Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova stated that Moscow saw no justification for measures that would grant Kyiv a temporary reprieve. This comes after Russia's strikes forced shipowners out of Odesa, as Ukraine's wheat harvest reached its peak.

Over 90% of Ukraine's farm exports pass through the three deepwater Odesa ports. Ukraine's August 12 operation at Novorossiysk targeted a naval base and warships, while grain terminals halted operations nearby. Russian forces have consistently targeted foreign-flagged ships and Ukrainian port infrastructure, stranding Ukrainian crops and raising concerns about global food supplies.

Zakharova accused Ukraine of deliberately destabilizing civilian shipping but did not mention Russia's attacks. This comes in response to Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan's suggestion of a Black Sea moratorium to both sides. Zakharova also stated that Moscow had not received a formal proposal from Türkiye and ruled out reviving the 2022-23 Black Sea grain deal, calling it one-sided.

Ukraine's harvest has decreased by 76% year on year so far in August, with the Agriculture Ministry projecting agricultural exports could nearly halve from 64.4 million to 29.6 million tonnes. Unsold corn stocks could rise more than tenfold, and the US Department of Agriculture's Foreign Agricultural Service expects corn exports to fall 39% and wheat exports 26%.

Efforts to establish a rail route to Romania's Constanța port are underway, but Kyiv estimates it could only carry 10% of Ukrainian grain exports.