The Black Sea ceasefire proposal benefits Russia and leaves many questions unanswered, the MP for Ukraine’s Black Sea port of Odesa has warned.

Oleksiy Goncharenko said he had concerns about competing statements from Ukraine, Russia and the US about the proposed truce.

“It would be important for Odesa to have a military ceasefire as it would protect our ports,” Mr Goncharenko said. “But I have heard nothing…all three sides are saying different things.”

The Ukrainian politician said the proposed deal appears to benefit Russia, who have demanded sanctions be lifted before any ceasefire comes into effect.

“Russia is making new demands that sanctions should be lifted but for what? For commercial ships to move? They moved today and yesterday. I have a lot of questions and no answers,” he added.

The White House published two statements on Tuesday claiming that Ukraine and Russia had agreed to “eliminate the use of force” in the Black Sea.

But the agreement with Russia goes further, with Washington committing to help seek the lifting of international sanctions on Russian agriculture and fertiliser exports.