Russia said that on Tuesday it was ready to attack a new agreement on shipping safety in the Black Sea – a possible step towards a ceasefire with Ukraine – but only if the United States ordered President Volodimier Zelanski to honor it.
External Affairs Minister Sergei Lavarov said that only one order will only provide assurances that Russia needs.
After being sent to thousands of soldiers to Ukraine in February 2022, each side criticized each other’s collapse in 2023, aimed at a prior agreement of the previous agreement.
“We will need a clear guarantee. And just given the tragic experience of agreements with Kiev, guarantee can only result in an order from Washington to Zelanski and his team.”
“And I feel that our American partners have received this indication. They understand that only Washington can achieve positive results in preventing terrorist attacks, citizens can stop infrastructure shells, energy infrastructure does not belong to the military complex.”
Russia often accuses Ukraine of “terrorist” actions and Kiev has often used a similar language in response to Russian attacks, who have killed thousands of civilians in Ukraine during a three -year war.
Lavrov’s comments indicated that Russia would demand further tightening the US pressure on Zelenskiy, before it would agree to a maritime ceasefire, which Washington says that would be a significant step towards a more wider Trus.
Zelansky and Trump had a disastrous meeting at the White House last month, and Kiev and its European colleagues feared that Trump may make a deal with Russian President Vladimir Putin that gives Russian demands and reduces their safety.
Heir of Black Sea Deal
As part of the discussion, the maritime ceasefire will successor the earlier Black Sea deal which allowed Ukraine to safely export about 33 million metric tonnes of grains despite the war.
Moscow withdrew in 2023, stating that its own food and fertilizer exports faced serious issues due to payment, logistics and insurance that affects the payment, logistics and insurance. Kiev had earlier accused Russia of obstructing the initiative.
Lavarov said that the market needs to be “forecast” for grains and fertilizers. He said that Russia could not take Zelanski on its word, an allegation Zelanski often level in Putin.
Lavrov said the black initiative was a priority to discuss a meeting between the US and Russian officials in Saudi Arabia on Monday.
Kremlin earlier said on Tuesday that both Russia and America were analyzing the consequences of the dialogue, but the details would not be made public.
Ukraine’s National Broadcaster Saspilane, citing a source, said that Ukrainian and American officials would meet in Saudi capital Riyadh on Tuesday.
When Trump and Putin spoke last week, the Russian leader rejected a proposal for a full 30-day ceasefire in Ukraine by the US President, but Ukrainian energy agreed to a adjournment to attack the infrastructure. Ukraine says that if it is properly documented then it is ready to join a limited energy ceasefire.
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