Ukraine is prepared to support a maritime truce to protect commercial shipping in the Black Sea if Russia takes reciprocal steps toward de-escalation, President Volodymyr Zelensky said in New York on Wednesday, September 23, 2026. The announcement outlined Ukraine’s willingness to negotiate, not a ceasefire agreement.
Speaking at the Crimea Platform summit alongside the UN General Assembly, Zelensky said Egypt, India, and Turkey had presented proposals to restore safe navigation for merchant vessels. He said Ukraine was awaiting Moscow’s response and linked its participation to Russian action to reduce tensions.
Black Sea Truce Proposals Focus on Shipping and Food Security
The diplomatic initiative addresses the safety of shipping routes important to global food supplies. In a September 19 briefing, the European Union’s diplomatic service called for a moratorium on Black Sea attacks to allow agricultural exports to reach international markets.
The EU warned that disruptions to Ukrainian grain exports threaten food security in importing countries across Africa, Asia, and the Middle East. It described Ukraine as a major agricultural producer and said alternative transport routes could not fully replace Black Sea grain shipments.
Parallel Talks on Protecting Energy Infrastructure
The maritime proposal comes alongside discussions about halting attacks on energy infrastructure. Zelensky said he discussed an energy ceasefire with US President Donald Trump on September 22.
After meeting Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov on Wednesday, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said both countries had expressed interest in a limited arrangement covering grain exports and energy infrastructure, according to Proto Thema. That interest did not amount to an agreement.
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