Ukraine ready for mutual halt to strikes on grain logistics and energy infrastructure

Ukraine is ready to negotiate with Russia on a mutual halt to strikes on grain logistics and energy infrastructure. However, Kyiv insists that the two areas should be addressed separately: ending Ukrainian strikes on Russian energy facilities cannot be a condition for Russia to stop attacks on Ukrainian ports and grain exports, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said during a meeting with journalists.

According to Zelenskyy, Russia stepped up attacks on Ukraine’s grain corridor after Ukrainian strikes on Russian oil facilities, the shadow fleet and the port of Novorossiysk. Moscow is effectively proposing to stop targeting Ukrainian grain logistics in exchange for an end to strikes on its energy sector, but Ukraine does not consider such an arrangement equivalent.

Instead, Kyiv proposes applying the principle of reciprocity separately to each sector. Regarding agriculture, Russia would stop attacking Ukrainian ports, vessels and food export routes, while Ukraine would refrain from strikes on Russian grain logistics. Zelenskyy also said he had proposed that several countries use their vessels to transport Ukrainian agricultural products, with similar security guarantees for ships carrying Russian grain.

Ukraine is also ready to discuss a separate arrangement covering energy infrastructure. According to Zelenskyy, such an agreement could involve Russia ending strikes on Ukraine’s electricity infrastructure in exchange for Ukraine halting attacks on Russian fuel infrastructure related to gasoline and diesel production and supplies.

Zelenskyy stressed that Ukraine is ready for separate agreements covering grain logistics and energy, as well as for a full ceasefire. However, he said Russia has so far shown no willingness to accept such an arrangement and is seeking to use the security of grain exports primarily as leverage to stop effective Ukrainian strikes on its energy sector.

Tags: Ukrainian ports, war, Black Sea grain corridor, Ukraine, Russia, export, agricultural products