White House on maritime ceasefire agreement and energy infrastructure
White House confirms agreement reached between Ukraine and Russia following talks in Saudi Arabia. Washington has published statements following bilateral talks with Russia and Ukraine. The texts read:
- Ukraine and Russia have reached an agreement on a Black Sea ceasefire ‘to ensure safe navigation, eliminate the use of force and prevent the use of commercial vessels for military purposes in the Black Sea’.
- Agreement was also reached on ‘developing measures for the implementation’ of a ceasefire on energy infrastructure.
- The US and Ukraine agreed to continue working towards a ‘sustainable and lasting peace’.
- The US will help Russia regain access to ‘the world market for agricultural and fertiliser exports, reduce maritime insurance costs and improve access to ports and payment systems for such transactions’.
Ukraine: Russian military fleet not allowed outside ‘eastern part of Black Sea’
Ukrainian and US communications on reaching a ceasefire agreement on the Black Sea are largely consistent. Ukraine's defence ministry adds that if Russian warships sail outside the ‘eastern Black Sea’, Kyiv will consider it a violation of the agreement. They speak of ‘a threat to Ukraine's national security’ in that case. Kyiv then says it may exercise ‘the full right of self-defence’. For now, Russian communications are awaited. Russian state news agency TASS reports that the Kremlin will publish a statement shortly.
Zelenskyy: ‘Agreement goes into effect immediately’
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has provided more explanation on the partial ceasefire. According to Zelenskyy, the agreement will go into effect immediately. Zelenskyy also said he will request additional weapons from Trump should Russia violate the agreement. ‘If the Russians violate this, I have a direct question for President Trump. If they violate this, here is the proof - we will ask for sanctions and weapons.’
Kremlin confirms Black Sea ceasefire agreement
The Kremlin has just published a ceasefire statement. Here are the main points from the Russian communiqué:
- Moscow confirms that an agreement has been reached on ‘developing measures’ to carry out a strike against attacks on energy infrastructure. The ceasefire will start for a period of 30 days, counting from 18 March.
- The Black Sea ceasefire, according to Moscow, will take effect only after sanctions against ‘Russian Agricultural Bank and other financial organisations involved in international trade in food products’ are lifted.
- Several other obstacles, such as those on ship services and the supply of agricultural machinery to Russia, must also be lifted before the truce comes into force, the Kremlin says.
- The communication largely echoes Ukrainian and US statements. The US confirmed it would help Russia regain access to the world market for agricultural products. Only on the timing do Ukraine and Russia seem to differ. Zelensky earlier said the agreement would take effect ‘immediately’.