Russia develops Black Sea grain export routes bypassing Ukraine

September 22, 2026 at 04:43 PM1 min

This digest was compiled by AI from multiple sources — links to the originals are below.

Russia is developing alternative routes for grain exports amid disruptions to Black Sea shipping, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said. The disruptions are linked to Ukrainian actions, and the work is being done on President Vladimir Putin's orders. Turkey has proposed that Russia and Ukraine halt strikes on ships in the Black Sea.

Key Facts

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Russia is developing alternative grain export routes due to disruptions in Black Sea shipping.
Peskov attributed the shipping disruptions to Ukrainian actions and said the work is being done on President Vladimir Putin's orders.
Turkey proposed that Russia and Ukraine halt strikes on ships in the Black Sea, and both sides have submitted initial responses, according to Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan.
In September, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said Ukraine proposed reviving the Black Sea grain initiative based on a mutual moratorium on strikes against ships, which Russia called unacceptable.

Alternative Export Routes

Russia is working on alternative routes for grain transportation amid complications with shipping in the Black Sea, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said. He linked the disruptions to Ukrainian actions and said the alternative directions are being developed on the instructions of President Vladimir Putin. Commercial shipping in the Black Sea has faced repeated attacks in recent months, prompting Ankara to call for mechanisms to improve the safety of merchant vessels.

Turkish Ceasefire Proposal

Turkey confirmed it sent Moscow and Kyiv a proposal to stop attacks on ships in the Black Sea, Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan said. Both sides have already presented their first responses to the initiative, Fidan added. The topic was discussed during recent contacts between Putin and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in Bishkek and continued through diplomatic channels, Peskov said.