Zelenskiy Calls for Russian Response to Black Sea Truce Plan

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said Ukraine is ready for a proposed maritime truce in the Black Sea and called on Russia to respond, while discussions with U.S. President Donald Trump at the United Nations included a possible ceasefire covering energy targets. No agreement or Russian acceptance of either proposal was reported. Zelenskiy announced Ukraine’s position Wednesday at the Crimean Platform summit, held on the sidelines of the U.N. General Assembly in New York. He said Egypt, India and Turkey had put forward options to restore safe navigation for merchant shipping in the Black Sea. Ukraine was prepared to support safe shipping and food security if Russia took steps toward de-escalation, he said. The proposal comes amid attacks on ships and port infrastructure that have sharply reduced cargo movements through the Black Sea. Countries in Asia, the Middle East and Africa that rely on the region for wheat have faced difficulty securing supplies, and global wheat prices have risen, according to the reporting. Zelenskiy met Trump on Tuesday, September 22, during the U.N. gathering. Zelenskiy said they discussed a ceasefire covering energy-related targets.