Wikimedia Commons Donald Trump by Gage Skidmore. Donald Trump speaks at CPAC in Washington, DC in 2011
Russia and Ukraine agree to a ceasefire in the Black Sea after the US and Saudi talk.
Russia and Ukraine agreed to a ceasefire in the Black Sea after US-Saudis negotiations. The agreement includes ensuring navigation and easing certain sanctions in Moscow, and raising concerns from Kiev and European allies.
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Russia and Ukraine have agreed to a ceasefire in the Black Sea following talks between US representatives and Saudi authorities.
“The US and Russia have agreed to ensure the safety of their voyages, eliminate the use of force, and prevent the use of commercial vessels for military purposes in the Black Sea,” the White House said following the meeting in Jeddah.
The news came into view when Ukrainian defense minister Rustem Umerov confirmed that “all political parties agreed to ensure safe navigation, eliminate the use of force and prevent the use of commercial vessels for military purposes in the Black Sea.”
However, Umerov also warned that Russia’s move to deploy military vessels in the eastern part of the Black Sea constitutes a violation of the contract and a threat to Ukraine’s national security.
This is a crucial moment. Washington has shown a willingness to ease certain sanctions against Moscow for the first time in more than three years, indicating a possible change in its stance towards Russia. These actions have raised concerns among Kiev and European allies as they could be interpreted as signs of a reconciliation between the US and Russia.
But the fear of Moscow’s ability to take advantage of this easing of restrictions, particularly another demand for the Kremlin’s demand: lifting restrictions on the supply of agricultural machinery to Russia.
The Kremlin specifies that the Black Sea Agreement will not be activated unless certain Russian banks recover in the international financial system. They also show that a maritime ceasefire will only be implemented if Russia’s agriculture and fertilizer exports are eased.
It is important to note that while Russian food and fertilizers are always exempt from Western sanctions, exports are affected by the exclusion of Russian banks from the world’s rapid payment system.
Fighting parties also agreed to implement a 30-day halt of attacks on the energy network and expand its scope. However, this solution, like other important points of the contract, remains in negotiation.
Ukrainian President Voldimia Zelensky responded to these developments by stating that allegations about easing sanctions were false and that sanctions need not be lifted in the implementation of these contracts.
Zelenskiy welcomed progress towards a ceasefire, but said Kyiv does not support easing sanctions against Russia. He also expressed concern about talks that the US appears to be holding with the Kremlin regarding Ukraine’s future.
“I’m worried that they’re talking about us without us,” Zelensky told a news conference in response to Donald Trump’s comments on negotiations.
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