sputnik/kre/epa-fe
Russian Navy Ship in the Black Sea (File Photo)
Russia has said that some Western sanctions must be lifted before starting a maritime ceasefire with Ukraine.
Within hours, the US agreed to halt strikes in the Black Sea with separate transactions, the Kremlin said it would only take place after sanctions against many Russian banks have been lifted.
The requests include revoking sanctions against the state Agricultural Bank’s Rosselhosbank and restoring business access to the Swift international payment system.
Overnight, Moscow launched a drone attack on the Mikolife Port city, Ukrainian officials said President Volodymia Zelensky said the strike was a “clear signal” and Russia did not want peace.
After a full-scale invasion of Russia’s Ukraine, the EU and its allies suspended access to Swift for many Russian financial institutions.
The aim was for Russian companies to lose access to the usual smooth and immediate transactions offered by Swift, disrupting payments for valuable energy and agricultural exports.
To reverse that decision, EU approval would be required. This is a step that appears uncertain in light of recent European support statements.
A spokesman for the European Commission said the withdrawal of all Russian troops from Ukraine will be one of the main conditions for lifting or amending sanctions.
On Tuesday, US President Donald Trump said Russia could be trying to delay the end of the war.
“I think Russia wants to finish it, but it may be that they’re limping. I’ve done it for so many years,” he said in an interview with Newsmax.
The maritime ceasefire was announced by the US after three days of peace negotiations in Saudi Arabia.
However, Kiev and Moscow later issued conflicting statements regarding details of the transaction, including when and how to commence.
Zelensky said he believes the transaction does not require sanctions relief to be enforced and will soon be effective.
He called the Kremlin statement an attempt to “manipulate” the transaction.
After announcing the agreement on Tuesday, Washington said all parties will continue to work towards “lasting and lasting peace” and added that the agreement will resume important trade routes.
Ukraine and Russia have also pledged to “develop measures” to implement a previously agreed ban on attacking each other’s energy infrastructure, the White House said.
The Black Sea is located south of Ukraine and west of Russia, and is also adjacent to Romania, Bulgaria, Türkiye and Georgia.
It is also adjacent to parts of Russian-occupied Ukraine, including Crimea.
It is an important transport route for Ukraine’s exports, saying that after Russia withdrew from the Black Sea Grain Initiative in 2023, it would consider Ukraine bound vessels as potential military targets.
As a result, exports of grain in Ukraine were hindered.
