Ukraine has proposed that it and Russia suspend attacks on civilian targets in the Black Sea, amid an escalation that has disrupted port operations, shipping activity and agricultural exports.

The offer was delivered by Kyiv through a third party, according to a source familiar with the matter, with Ukraine awaiting a response. Russia and Ukraine, both major participants in global agricultural trade, have accused each other of stepping up attacks on vessels used for exports.

There was no immediate response from the Kremlin or Russia’s foreign ministry regarding the reported initiative. Before the report emerged, Deputy Russian Foreign Minister Alexander Grushko said Moscow had not received a formal proposal for a Black Sea ceasefire. He acknowledged that ideas for moratoriums and truces had been raised through several channels but said no official offer had reached Russia.

The proposal follows renewed disruption at key ports on both sides of the Black Sea. Many shipowners stopped calling at ports in Ukraine’s southern Odesa region in late July after Russian strikes hit dozens of vessels. Odesa is a central hub for Ukrainian grain exports, and the reduction in vessel calls forced Kyiv to rely more heavily on alternative transport routes.

Russia also suspended operations at all three terminals at the Black Sea port of Novorossiysk on Wednesday and Thursday following a Ukrainian attack. The disruption is expected to require a further reduction in Russian grain exports.

Ukraine’s grain shipments have fallen sharply during the latest escalation. Exports were down 76% year on year so far in August, while the country’s agricultural sector has warned of severe economic consequences if the effective blockade of Black Sea ports continues. Kyiv says alternatives involving rail transport and the Danube have extremely limited capacity.

Following Russia’s invasion in 2022, the United Nations and Turkey brokered an agreement that allowed Ukrainian grain exports to continue through the Black Sea, helping to address concerns over food supplies. Russia declined to extend that arrangement in 2023. Ukraine subsequently established a separate maritime corridor, which remained operational until the latest increase in attacks.

Turkey raised concerns with both countries on Sunday and called on Russia and Ukraine to declare a moratorium on Black Sea attacks.

The report of Ukraine’s offer also affected agricultural markets, with Euronext wheat trimming gains after earlier reaching a two-week high. Continued disruption to Black Sea exports remains a concern for international grain supply chains and Ukraine’s war-affected economy.