Russia has insisted that some Western sanctions must be lifted before implementing a maritime ceasefire with Ukraine.
Just hours after the United States announced separate agreements between Russia and Ukraine to halt strikes in the Black Sea, the Kremlin stated that the ceasefire would only take effect once sanctions on several Russian banks were removed.
Moscow’s demands include lifting sanctions on the state-owned agricultural lender Rosselkhozbank and restoring access to the Swift international payment system.
Overnight, Russian forces launched a drone attack on the Ukrainian port city of Mykolaiv, an assault President Volodymyr Zelensky described as “a clear signal” that Russia does not seek peace.
Following Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, the European Union and its allies cut off several Russian financial institutions from Swift. The move aimed to disrupt Russia’s ability to process payments for its key energy and agricultural exports.
Reversing that decision would require EU approval, a step that remains uncertain given recent European statements of continued support for Kyiv.
On Tuesday, U.S. President Donald Trump suggested that Russia might be stalling efforts to end the war.
“I think Russia wants to see an end to it, but it could be they’re dragging their feet. I’ve seen it over the years,” Trump said in an interview with Newsmax.
The U.S. announced the maritime ceasefire following three days of peace talks in Saudi Arabia. However, both Ukraine and Russia later issued conflicting statements regarding the specifics of the agreement, including when and how it would take effect.
Zelensky maintained that the agreement does not require sanctions relief and should be implemented immediately. He accused Moscow of attempting to manipulate the terms.
Washington said that all parties would continue working toward a “durable and lasting peace” and that the agreement would help reopen a crucial trade corridor.
Ukraine and Russia also agreed to “develop measures” to enforce an existing ban on targeting each other’s energy infrastructure, according to the White House.
The Black Sea, which borders Ukraine, Russia, Romania, Bulgaria, Turkey, and Georgia, is a vital shipping route. After Russia withdrew from the Black Sea Grain Initiative in 2023, it warned that any vessel heading toward Ukrainian ports could be considered a military target. The decision severely impacted Ukraine’s grain exports.
Russia and Ukraine have reached separate agreements with the United States to halt naval strikes in the Black Sea following negotiations in Saudi Arabia.
Washington stated that all sides committed to working toward “durable and lasting peace” and that the agreement would restore a key shipping route.
Both nations also pledged to “develop measures” to enforce a prior agreement banning attacks on each other’s energy infrastructure, the White House announced.
However, Russia maintained that the ceasefire would not take effect until sanctions against its food and fertilizer trade were lifted.
U.S. officials met separately with Russian and Ukrainian negotiators in Riyadh, attempting to broker a truce. The delegations from Moscow and Kyiv did not engage directly with each other.
Zelensky described the agreement as a positive step but remained cautious about its effectiveness.
“It is too early to say that it will work, but these were the right meetings, the right decisions, the right steps,” Zelensky said at a press conference in Kyiv.
“No one can accuse Ukraine of not moving towards sustainable peace after this,” he added. His remarks followed earlier accusations from Trump that Kyiv was obstructing a potential peace deal.
Shortly after Washington’s announcement, the Kremlin insisted that the ceasefire would not proceed until sanctions were lifted on Russian banks and agricultural exporters.
Moscow’s demands include reconnecting sanctioned Russian banks to the Swift payment system, removing restrictions on Russian-flagged vessels involved in food trade, and lifting bans on agricultural machinery and other goods tied to food production.
The White House did not specify when the agreement would take effect. Asked about the potential for easing sanctions, Trump said, “We’re thinking about all of them right now. We’re looking at them.”
Washington acknowledged in its statement that the U.S. would “help restore Russia’s access to the world market for agricultural and fertilizer exports.”
Zelensky criticized this as a potential weakening of Ukraine’s position, adding that Kyiv would seek additional sanctions on Russia and greater military support from the U.S. if Moscow failed to honor the agreement.
Later in his nightly address, Zelensky accused the Kremlin of lying about the ceasefire’s dependence on sanctions relief.
Ukraine’s Defense Minister Rustem Umerov stated that “third countries” could oversee parts of the agreement but warned that any movement of Russian warships beyond the eastern Black Sea would be considered a violation and a “threat to Ukraine’s national security.”
“In this case, Ukraine will have full right to exercise its right to self-defense,” Umerov said.
A previous agreement allowing safe passage for commercial vessels in the Black Sea was established in 2022 after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
Both nations are major grain exporters, and the war initially caused global food prices to soar. The Black Sea Grain Initiative allowed cargo ships to transport grain, sunflower oil, and essential agricultural products safely.
Originally set for 120 days, the agreement was extended multiple times before Russia withdrew in July 2023, claiming that key terms had not been fulfilled.
After the latest round of negotiations, Ukraine and Russia agreed to “develop measures” to enforce a ban on targeting each other’s energy infrastructure.
Russian missile strikes on Ukraine’s energy grid have triggered widespread blackouts, leaving thousands without power and heat during winter.
Repeated attacks on Ukraine’s nuclear power stations have also raised international alarm, with the United Nations atomic watchdog urging restraint.
An initial agreement to halt strikes on energy sites was reached last week in a call between Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin. However, within hours of its announcement, both Moscow and Kyiv accused each other of violating the deal.
On Tuesday, Russia claimed that Ukrainian forces continued to attack its energy infrastructure during the peace talks in Riyadh. The Russian Defense Ministry accused Zelensky of being “incapable of sticking to agreements.”
Meanwhile, Russian forces launched a missile strike on the northeastern Ukrainian city of Sumy on Monday, injuring more than 100 people.
Ukrainian officials reported that Russia fired 139 drones and a ballistic missile overnight. Kyiv also claimed that an airstrike on military infrastructure in Kursk killed up to 30 Russian troops.
