Russia has expressed willingness to negotiate a new agreement ensuring safe shipping in the Black Sea—potentially paving the way for a ceasefire in Ukraine—but only if the United States orders Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to comply.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov emphasized that Washington’s directive is the only assurance Moscow would trust. His remarks follow the collapse of a previous Black Sea safety agreement in 2023, which both Russia and Ukraine blamed on each other.
“We require clear guarantees. Given past failed agreements with Kyiv alone, the only reliable guarantee would be a direct order from Washington to Zelensky and his administration,” Lavrov stated. “Our American partners have likely received this message. They understand that only Washington can ensure an end to terrorist attacks, the shelling of civilian infrastructure, and energy facilities unrelated to the military-industrial complex.”
Moscow has repeatedly accused Kyiv of carrying out terrorist activities, while Ukraine has used similar rhetoric against Russia, citing civilian casualties from Russian strikes.
Lavrov’s comments suggest Russia will insist on stronger U.S. pressure on Zelensky before agreeing to a maritime ceasefire. Washington, for its part, has indicated that such an agreement could be a step toward broader peace negotiations.
The situation unfolds against a backdrop of uncertainty in U.S.-Ukraine relations. Zelensky’s recent meeting with former U.S. President Donald Trump at the White House reportedly ended in failure. Kyiv and its European allies fear that Trump, if re-elected, could strike a deal with Russian President Vladimir Putin that concedes to Moscow’s demands at the expense of Ukraine’s security.
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