Russia has declared that some Western sanctions must be lifted before it enforces a maritime ceasefire with Ukraine, complicating efforts to ease tensions in the Black Sea.
The announcement came just hours after the U.S. stated that Ukraine and Russia had agreed to halt strikes in separate deals brokered through diplomatic talks. However, the Kremlin made it clear that the ceasefire would only take effect once sanctions on certain Russian banks were revoked.
Specifically, Moscow is demanding the removal of restrictions on the state-owned agricultural bank Rosselkhozbank and its reinstatement in the Swift international payment system. These financial restrictions, imposed by the European Union and its allies following Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, have severely disrupted Russian exports.
Despite the ceasefire discussions, Moscow launched a drone strike on the Ukrainian port city of Mykolaiv overnight, prompting President Volodymyr Zelensky to denounce Russia’s actions as evidence that it is not genuinely seeking peace.
Lifting the sanctions on Russian financial institutions would require approval from the EU, a move that seems unlikely given Europe’s continued support for Ukraine. EU leaders have repeatedly reaffirmed their commitment to Kyiv, making it uncertain whether Moscow’s demands will be met.
Meanwhile, former U.S. President Donald Trump commented on the situation, suggesting that Russia might be intentionally delaying a resolution to the conflict. “I think that Russia wants to see an end to it, but it could be they’re dragging their feet,” he said in an interview with Newsmax.
The maritime ceasefire was initially announced after three days of peace talks in Saudi Arabia. However, Kyiv and Moscow have since issued conflicting statements regarding the agreement’s terms, particularly on whether sanctions relief is a prerequisite.
President Zelensky insisted that the ceasefire should take immediate effect and accused the Kremlin of attempting to manipulate the agreement. “This is another attempt by Russia to twist the deal in its favor,” he stated.
The Black Sea remains a critical zone in the conflict, serving as a vital trade route for Ukraine’s exports. After Russia withdrew from the Black Sea Grain Initiative in 2023, it declared any vessel heading toward Ukraine as a potential military target, severely disrupting global food supplies.
As Washington continues diplomatic efforts, it has reaffirmed its commitment to securing a “durable and lasting peace.” However, with both sides still at odds over key conditions, the path to a stable ceasefire remains uncertain.
