Kathmandu: Russia and Ukraine have separately agreed to a naval ceasefire in the Black Sea in deals brokered by the US after three days of peace talks in Saudi Arabia, BBC reports. The agreements aim to reopen trade routes and enforce a ban on attacking each other’s energy infrastructure.
However, Russia insists the ceasefire will only take effect after sanctions on its food and fertilizer trade are lifted. The Kremlin demands the reconnection of Russian banks to SwiftPay and the removal of shipping restrictions.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky called the deal a positive step but warned of further sanctions and military aid requests if Russia violates its commitments. Meanwhile, Ukraine’s Defense Minister said any movement of Russian warships beyond designated zones would be seen as a security threat.
The ceasefire revives elements of the 2022 Black Sea grain deal, which Russia abandoned in 2023. Both nations, key grain exporters, have suffered economic strain due to disruptions. Talks also included discussions on halting attacks on energy infrastructure, but accusations of violations persist.
Source: BBC