Poland Calls for Urgent Black Sea Ceasefire, Demands Fair Peace for Ukraine

Polish Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski called for an immediate ceasefire in the Black Sea to secure grain shipments from Ukraine and Russia, while warning that Moscow must end its war against Ukraine on fair terms before being allowed to resume energy sales to Europe. Speaking to reporters Friday, Oct. 30, during the G20 foreign ministers’ meeting in Atlanta, Georgia, Sikorski said restoring safe maritime trade was urgent for countries dependent on food imports, particularly in the Global South.JOIN US ON TELEGRAMFollow our coverage of the war on the @Kyivpost_official. “I spoke in favor of doing something quickly because the people of the Global South need this grain,” Sikorski said, according to Reuters. His proposal would allow grain shipments from both Ukraine and Russia to move safely through the Black Sea, a crucial route for agricultural exports to international markets. But Sikorski made clear that a maritime ceasefire should not come at the expense of Ukraine’s broader security interests. He insisted that Ukraine must participate in any negotiations aimed at ending Russia’s invasion and that Europe also has a legitimate role in shaping a settlement. The Polish minister said European countries had leverage in the negotiations and should not be sidelined from decisions affecting the continent’s security. No return to Russian energy without a fair peace Sikorski also linked any restoration of Russian energy sales to Europe to the outcome of the war. He argued that Moscow should not regain access to its former European energy customers unless the conflict ends fairly. Other Topics of Interest Pentagon Says Ukraine’s Patriot Missile Production Request Requires ‘Further Review’ Kyiv remains without US authorization to manufacture interceptors domestically, despite ongoing talks and growing pressure to expand production. The position reflects Poland’s longstanding opposition to Europe’s reliance on Russian energy, which Warsaw has warned gives Moscow economic resources and political leverage over European governments. Before Russia’s full-scale invasion in February 2022, European countries were among the largest customers for Russian natural gas and oil. Since then, the European Union has moved to reduce dependence on Russian supplies through sanctions, diversification and alternative energy sources. Ukraine insists Black Sea security must include protection of its ports The Polish proposal comes as Ukraine continues seeking international support to protect its Black Sea export routes from Russian attacks. In September, President Volodymyr Zelensky met Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in New York, where the two discussed restoring secure maritime exports. According to the Ukrainian presidency’s official readout, Zelensky emphasized that Russia would have to stop attacking Ukrainian infrastructure for a reciprocal arrangement to become possible. He said several options were under discussion to restore the maritime corridor fully, but their implementation depended on Russia ending its strikes. US backs Poland’s G20 membership as Lavrov objects The Polish minister’s comments came amid a separate diplomatic confrontation with Moscow over Washington’s proposal to admit Poland as a full member of the G20. The United States, which holds the group’s rotating presidency this year, invited Sikorski to the Atlanta meeting and has proposed giving Poland permanent membership. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio endorsed the proposal during a reception at the Georgia Aquarium. “President Trump believes their economic success and growing global influence is exactly what the G20 needs to tackle the major economic challenges we all face,” Rubio said. Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov objected, arguing that Poland’s participation had been advanced without the consensus normally required for decisions involving G20 members. Lavrov described the invitation as a violation of established diplomatic practice. Sikorski welcomed Washington’s support and said he had discussed Poland’s candidacy with other G20 representatives. Sikorski also confirmed that Britain, which will assume the G20 presidency in 2027, had invited Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk to attend next year’s leaders’ summit in Manchester. Kyiv Post is Ukraine’s first and oldest English news organization, reporting since 1995. Its international reach – 90% of readers are outside of Ukraine – make it truly Ukraine’s global voice.