Ukraine proposes halting Black Sea strikes with Russia

Ukraine has sent Russia a proposal to stop mutual strikes on ships and ports in the Black Sea. According to a source familiar with the matter, Kyiv relayed the initiative to Moscow through a third party and is still waiting for an official response.

Neither the Kremlin nor the Russian Foreign Ministry has commented on reports of the alleged Ukrainian proposal.

A rise in strikes at sea

Ukraine is now in its fifth year of repelling Russia's military invasion, with air strikes by both sides forming part of the fighting. In recent months, Moscow and Kyiv have noticeably stepped up attacks on each other, including on ports and merchant vessels in the Black Sea region. Kyiv has also intensified strikes on tankers carrying Russian oil.

The growing frequency of these attacks is disrupting global grain and oil supplies, as both Russia and Ukraine remain among the world's largest exporters of agricultural products. The rise in attacks on ships and ports in the region is fuelling growing concern over global food security.

Around Prague, based on reporting by novinky.cz