Russia sets conditions for signing Black Sea agreement with Ukraine

(Dan Tri) - Russia is ready to sign a new agreement to ensure maritime security in the Black Sea if the US "orders" the government of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to comply with the terms.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov (Photo: TASS).

Speaking on March 25, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said that Moscow is ready to sign a new Black Sea agreement with Ukraine, but only if the US requires the Ukrainian government to comply, because only such an order will bring the guarantees that Moscow needs.

"We need clear guarantees. Guarantees will only come if the United States tells Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and his team what to do and what not to do," Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said.

"It seems that our American partners have received this signal. They understand that only Washington can achieve positive results in preventing attacks and shelling on civilian infrastructure, energy infrastructure that is not related to the military-industrial complex," he stressed.

Lavrov added that the Black Sea Initiative was a priority issue for discussion at a meeting between the US and Russian delegations in Saudi Arabia on March 24. After the 12-hour talks, the Kremlin said the content of the discussion would not be made public.

Lavrov’s comments suggest Russia will ask the United States to put more pressure on the Zelensky government before it agrees to a maritime ceasefire. Washington sees the maritime ceasefire as an important step toward a more comprehensive ceasefire.

The Black Sea Grain Initiative or Grain Agreement was first established between Russia and Ukraine in July 2022. The agreement aims to ensure that Ukraine can continue to export grain from its southern ports during the conflict.

However, Moscow unilaterally withdrew from the Black Sea Grain Initiative in 2023. Ukraine has managed to reopen its transport corridor through repeated missile and drone attacks against Russian naval forces.

Source: https://dantri.com.vn/the-gioi/nga-ra-dieu-kien-ky-thoa-thuan-bien-den-voi-ukraine-20250325210529021.htm