Russia, Ukraine agree to ceasefire in Black Sea - Agreement includes ban on attacks against energy infrastructure
Russia and Ukraine reached an agreement to stop attacks in the Black Sea. The United States will also commit to lifting some sanctions against Moscow.
The United States has reached separate agreements with Ukraine and Russia to halt their attacks at sea and against energy facilities. Washington also aims to lift some sanctions on Moscow.
While it was not clear when or how the Black Sea maritime security agreements would take effect, they are the first formal commitments from the two warring sides since the inauguration of President Donald Trump. The American leader is pushing to end the war in Ukraine and aims to mend ties with Moscow, alarming Kiev and European countries.
The US deal with Russia goes further than the Ukraine deal, with Washington pledging to help lift international sanctions on Russian agriculture and fertilizer exports, a demand the Kremlin has long made.
Immediately after the US announcements, Moscow said the Black Sea agreements would not enter into force unless links between some Russian banks and the international financial system were restored.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said that in his opinion the ceasefire agreements did not require the easing of sanctions to take effect and would come into force immediately, calling the Kremlin's statement an attempt to "manipulate" the pact.
"They are already trying to distort the agreements and, in fact, deceive our mediators and the whole world," Zelenskiy said.
Kiev and Moscow said they would rely on Washington to implement the agreements, while expressing skepticism that the other side would respect them.
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