U.S. reviews Russia’s conditions for Black Sea ceasefire
The U.S. administration is currently reviewing Russia's preconditions for a ceasefire in the Black Sea, as stated by President Donald Trump.
"There are about five or six conditions. We are looking into all of them," Trump told journalists at the White House, according to the BBC.
This statement follows recent talks in Saudi Arabia, where the United States, Russia, and Ukraine agreed to suspend attacks in the Black Sea region and establish a safe framework for maritime navigation.
However, shortly after this agreement, Moscow announced that securing navigation would only be implemented if certain sanctions imposed on the Russian Federation are lifted. The Kremlin's demands include:
- The removal of sanctions on Rosselhozbank and companies that produce and export fertilizers;
- The removal of restrictions on Russian-flagged ships' access to ports when transporting agricultural products and fertilizers;
- The cancellation of restrictions on the delivery of agricultural machinery and goods needed for food and fertilizer production.
According to a document published earlier on the Kremlin’s website, titled "Key Findings of the Russia-U.S. Expert Groups Meeting," Washington has committed to supporting the reinstatement of Russia’s agricultural and fertilizer exports to global markets, reducing shipping insurance costs, and expanding access to ports and payment systems for such transactions.
Negotiations on a possible ceasefire in the Black Sea began on Sunday, March 23, in Riyadh, with an initial round of talks between the U.S. delegation and Ukrainian representatives. The following day, Monday, March 24, intense negotiations took place between U.S. and Russian delegations, lasting throughout the day and concluding around 10:00 PM, Moldova time. On Tuesday, March 25, the Ukrainian delegation met again with U.S. officials.
Initially, the Kremlin refused to disclose details about discussions with the U.S. side, but later clarified that Russia is conditioning the ceasefire's implementation on the lifting of several economic sanctions.
Translation by Iurie Tataru
