Photo credit: www.bbc.com
Russia Calls for Sanctions Relief Before Maritime Ceasefire with Ukraine
A naval vessel from Russia operates in the Black Sea amidst ongoing tensions with Ukraine.
Russia has indicated that the suspension of certain Western sanctions is a prerequisite for initiating a maritime ceasefire with Ukraine. This ultimatum emerged shortly after the United States disclosed that both nations had consented to halt hostilities in the Black Sea through separate agreements.
The Kremlin’s demands specifically call for the lifting of sanctions on several Russian banking institutions, including the state agricultural bank Rosselkhozbank, and the reinstatement of these banks’ access to the Swift international payment network.
In a show of defiance, Moscow conducted a drone assault on the Ukrainian port city of Mykolaiv overnight. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky condemned the aerial strikes as “a clear signal” that Russia is not genuinely pursuing peace.
The European Union and allied nations had previously suspended access to Swift for various Russian financial entities following Russia’s comprehensive invasion of Ukraine. The intention behind this measure was to hinder Russian businesses by disrupting immediate and efficient financial transactions, particularly affecting payments for critical energy and agricultural exports.
Reinstating access to Swift would necessitate approval from the EU, which now appears daunting in light of the recent expressions of support for Ukraine from European leaders.
In related comments, US President Donald Trump suggested that Russia might be procrastinating on resolving the conflict, stating in an interview with Newsmax, “I think that Russia wants to see an end to it, but it could be they’re dragging their feet.”
This maritime ceasefire agreement was announced by the US following three days of negotiations held in Saudi Arabia. However, conflicting statements from Kyiv and Moscow regarding the specifics of the deal, including its start date and operational details, have arisen.
President Zelensky expressed his belief that the deal should not hinge on sanctions relief and should be enacted immediately. He accused the Kremlin of attempting to “manipulate” the outlined agreements.
Following the agreement’s announcement, the White House underscored that all involved parties would strive for a “durable and lasting peace,” noting that the arrangement would restore a crucial trading path.
Both Ukraine and Russia have also pledged to establish measures to uphold a prior agreement prohibiting attacks on each other’s energy infrastructure, according to statements from the White House.
The Black Sea, bordered by Ukraine to the north and Russia to the east, is also flanked by Romania, Bulgaria, Turkey, and Georgia. The region includes areas of Ukraine currently under Russian occupation, such as Crimea.
This maritime zone serves as a critical artery for the export of Ukrainian goods. Following Russia’s withdrawal from the Black Sea Grain Initiative in 2023, it declared any vessel headed for Ukraine as a potential military target, contributing to a significant downturn in Ukraine’s grain exports.
Source
www.bbc.com