Russia and Ukraine agree to ceasefire in Black Sea, White House says…
In a significant development, Russia and Ukraine have agreed to a ceasefire in the Black Sea, facilitated by U.S. mediation. The agreement aims to ensure safe navigation, eliminate the use of force, and prevent commercial vessels from being used for military purposes in the region.
The negotiations, held in Saudi Arabia, resulted in separate accords between the U.S. and each of the warring nations. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy expressed skepticism about Russia’s commitment to the ceasefire, emphasizing that Ukraine would halt deep strikes on Russian military targets. Russian officials, however, linked the implementation of the ceasefire to the lifting of sanctions on Russian banks involved in the agricultural sector, a process requiring European Union approval.
While the ceasefire represents a positive step, experts caution that the conflict’s overall nature may remain unchanged. Maritime clashes have been limited since 2023, following Ukrainian attacks that forced Russia to relocate its navy to safer ports, allowing Ukraine to reopen its ports for exports. Ukrainian Defense Minister Rustem Umerov called for further technical consultations to finalize the agreement, highlighting the need for detailed discussions on implementation, monitoring, and control mechanisms.
Overall, while the ceasefire offers a glimmer of hope, both sides remain cautious, and the path to lasting peace appears fraught with challenges.
