Ukraine backs maritime ceasefire, Russia sets conditions

Ukraine, Russia, and the U.S. held several rounds of technical-level talks in Saudi Arabia aimed at ending the war that Moscow started. 

A meeting took place between the Ukrainian and American delegations on March 23, followed by a meeting between the Russian and American delegations on March 24, and a follow-up discussion between Ukraine and the U.S. on March 25.

No joint statements were issued after the talks, though they were anticipated. 

However, the White House released a statement confirming that Ukraine and the U.S. had agreed to ensure safe navigation in the Black Sea and planned to develop a mechanism to prohibit strikes on energy facilities.

“The United States and Ukraine have agreed to ensure safe navigation, eliminate the use of force, and prevent the use of commercial vessels for military purposes in the Black Sea,” the statement said.

Washington also emphasized that it welcomed “the good offices of third countries with a view toward supporting the implementation of the energy and maritime agreements.”

The specifics of the agreement are not clear as Russia continues to bomb Ukraine’s port facilities, including in Odesa, and blockades the Mykolayiv port. 

The Kremlin, however, set several conditions for a ceasefire in the Black Sea, notably sanctions relief. 

Russia is demanding the lifting of restrictive measures on Rosselkhozbank (Russian Agricultural Bank) and other financial institutions involved in international trade, reconnecting them to the SWIFT global financial transaction system, and allowing the opening of correspondent bank accounts.

Moscow also demands the lifting of sanctions on companies that produce and export food and fertilizers, lifting restrictions on servicing vessels in ports, and removing sanctions on vessels under the Russian flag that trade in food and fertilizers.

Additionally, Russia is calling for the removal of restrictions on the supply of agricultural machinery and other goods essential for food and fertilizer production.

“The point about navigation safety will come into effect only after certain restrictions are lifted,” reads the Kremlin’s statement, quoted by the BBC Russian Service.

The latest round of negotiations represents another stage in the peace process that began in Saudi Arabia on March 11. At that time, Ukraine agreed to a comprehensive 30-day ceasefire following talks with the U.S. Russia didn’t endorse the deal but has since repeatedly attacked Ukraine, including critical infrastructure such as, energy facilities.

The war zone remains fluid and historically, previous ceasefires have been fragile and short-lived in Europe’s largest ground war since World War II.

The Ukrainian World Congress welcomes the constructive dialogue between the Ukrainian and American delegations, supports Ukraine’s firm stance on achieving lasting peace, and emphasizes that the ceasefire initiative proposed by the U.S. presents a critical opportunity for real progress in the peace talks.

At the same time, we stress that Russia is the aggressor, having started the illegal, unjustified invasion of Ukraine and continuing to carry out missile and drone attacks that deliberately target civilians. The Kremlin must be held accountable for war crimes and compelled to contribute to Ukraine’s reconstruction efforts.