India has put forward the most comprehensive of the four international initiatives regarding a possible ceasefire between Ukraine and Russia. Foreign Minister Andriy Sibiga stated that New Delhi had, for the first time, offered to play a distinct role in this process. In addition to India, the US, Turkey and Egypt have also submitted their proposals.
- Ukraine has received four proposals for a possible ceasefire — from India, the US, Turkey and Egypt.
- According to Andriy Sybiga, India put forward the most far-reaching initiative.
- Sibiga stated that India had, for the first time, offered to play a distinct role in the peace process.
- Turkey and Egypt have put forward proposals for a food truce in the Black Sea.
- The US has proposed an energy truce.
- Ukraine is insisting on a simultaneous halt to attacks on the energy sector and port infrastructure.
India has proposed the broadest option
On four diplomatic initiatives Siberia he said during a meeting with journalists. He described the Indian proposal as the most comprehensive and noted that New Delhi had, for the first time, offered to «play a role» in this process.
The Foreign Minister did not publicly disclose the details of the Indian initiative. Therefore, there is currently no question of a format for negotiations agreed by the parties or a finalised ceasefire agreement.
Contacts between Kyiv and New Delhi regarding peace efforts have intensified recently. On 22 September, Sibiga met with the Indian Minister for Foreign Affairs Subramanyam Jaisankar. The parties discussed the situation in the Black Sea, freedom of navigation and the impact of the war on global food markets. The Ukrainian Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated separately at the time that it valued India’s engagement on these issues.
Turkey and Egypt propose a food truce
Two further initiatives concern the Black Sea. According to Sibiga, Turkey has proposed a format a grain or food truce, whilst Egypt put forward a similar proposal.
For Cairo, the stability of Black Sea supplies is of particular importance. Sibiga noted that Egypt relies on Ukrainian grain for around a third of its needs, whilst a significant proportion of its other supplies comes from Russia.
The issue has now gone beyond the scope of bilateral relations between Ukraine and the Russian Federation. Turkey is taking part in diplomatic efforts to restore safe grain trade, and India and Egypt are also involved in the consultations. Trade in the Black Sea remains unstable due to attacks on ports and vessels.
The US is proposing a halt to attacks on the energy sector
The fourth proposal came from the United States and concerns energy truce. According to Sibiga, this option was discussed during the meeting between the presidents Vladimir Zelensky and Donald Trump.
Ukraine’s position is that an energy ceasefire should not be limited solely to power stations or substations. Kyiv is proposing a complete cessation of attacks on energy facilities, including port infrastructure, and a simultaneous ceasefire in the Black Sea.
This is particularly relevant as winter approaches. Over the past few weeks, the Ukrainian Ministry of Foreign Affairs has repeatedly accused Russia of stepping up attacks on the energy sector and other civilian infrastructure, and has called on its partners to prevent winter from being used as a means of exerting pressure.
Ukraine is also prepared for a broader ceasefire
Sybiga emphasised that Kyiv is not limiting itself to sectoral agreements alone. Ukraine is also prepared to a full and unconditional ceasefire along the current line of contact. According to the minister, the Ukrainian side has conveyed its position to the US, which is also working on a diplomatic track. Sibiga suggested that one possible outcome of the meeting between Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Vladimir Putin could be the agreement of a ceasefire.
On 23 September, Ukraine, together with a group of states within the framework of the UN, publicly reaffirmed its readiness for a full, immediate and unconditional ceasefire and called on Russia to agree to a similar move.
No agreement has been reached as yet
The fact that four proposals have been put forward indicates that diplomatic efforts are intensifying, but this in itself does not yet mean that a ceasefire has been reached. There is no confirmation that Ukraine and Russia have agreed on a joint mechanism, a timetable for its implementation, or a system for monitoring compliance with the agreements.
At the same time, India’s emergence among the states proposing their own format broadens the range of potential mediators. New Delhi maintains working-level contacts with both Kyiv and Moscow, and the issue of the Black Sea and global food security has, in recent weeks, become one of the central topics in international consultations on a possible limited ceasefire.
