The Kremlin wants to cut off Ukraine from sea supplies

Since July, Russia and Ukraine have been intensifying their attacks on each other in the Black Sea. Their targets include vessels, ports and infrastructure related to the operation of the water area. Moscow's efforts to limit Ukrainian maritime shipping are met by Kiev's response, which attacks the fleet and infrastructure used by Russia.

A Kremlin spokesman said in a statement on Friday that "Kiev must pay the price for carrying out attacks in the Black Sea - it is already paying and will continue to pay."

The situation in the Black Sea is special. Russia responds to the attacks launched by Ukraine. Ukraine must pay for this. He is already paying and will continue to pay, assured Peskov.

We are continuing a special military operation. It is very important for us to completely suspend deliveries of military equipment, ammunition, fuel to the Ukrainian armed forces and the like by sea, said Dmitry Peskov, quoted by the Tass agency.

The Kremlin spokesman noted that "Russia needs lasting peace with Ukraine, not a ceasefire, and is always open to negotiations."

The regime in Kiev has not shown any willingness to conclude any comprehensive agreements. Piecemeal agreements will not bring us closer to a peaceful solution. Agreements can only be comprehensive, added Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov.

The Black Sea dispute and de-escalation talks

The issue of navigational safety in the Black Sea also arises in the context of possible actions to reduce the intensity of war.

At the end of September, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky told Axios that the United States was pressing for three actions that would help de-escalate the conflict that has been going on for over four years.

The idea is to open grain corridors through the Black Sea, mutually halt attacks on energy infrastructure and organize trilateral talks between Ukraine, Russia and the US. According to the proposal presented by Zelensky, the meeting would be held in Abu Dhabi, the capital of the United Arab Emirates.

Kyiv has repeatedly declared its readiness to open grain corridors, but Moscow has rejected such proposals.

Putin on Ukraine's proposal: Absurd

On Thursday, Vladimir Putin ruled out stopping Russian attacks on Ukrainian maritime infrastructure in exchange for Ukraine ceasing its attacks on the Russian energy sector. The Russian leader described such a proposal as "absurd."

Therefore, the prospects for mutual limitation of attacks on key infrastructure remain uncertain. The positions of both sides show that navigation safety and the functioning of ports are still an important element of the conflict.

Will there be talks in Abu Dhabi in October?

As The Atlantic magazine reported on Tuesday, Russia and Ukraine may hold talks in Abu Dhabi in October regarding a "limited ceasefire."

For now, these reports do not mean that the meeting has been finally agreed. It is also uncertain whether possible talks will result in an agreement on navigation in the Black Sea and a mutual halt to attacks on infrastructure.

At the end of September, Volodymyr Zelensky said that "the US proposed to organize a trilateral meeting of a technical nature in the United Arab Emirates."

Peskov's declaration, however, indicates that Moscow still treats cutting off Ukraine from maritime military supplies as an important goal of its actions.