Partial ceasefire should start on March 25, Zelensky says
Ukraine believes that the partial ceasefire for the Black Sea and energy infrastructure strikes should take effect on March 25, President Volodymyr Zelensky told journalists.
Zelensky’s position is at odds with Russia’s March 25 statement that the Black Sea ceasefire would take effect only after Western sanctions on Russian food producers and exporters are lifted.
The statement came after two-day talks in Saudi Arabia, during which Ukraine, Russia and the U.S. agreed to implement a ceasefire in the Black Sea and a ban on strikes against energy infrastructure.
Zelensky said that Defense Minister Rustem Umerov had asked the U.S. when the partial ceasefire deal could come into effect.
“We believe that, after Washington makes two official statements… the ceasefire in the sea and the energy ceasefire must come into effect, in (the Americans') opinion,” Zelensky said. “Undoubtedly this depends on orders given by the presidents to their military forces.”
Washington has also vowed to help restore Russia’s access to the world market for agricultural and fertilizer exports, lower maritime insurance costs, and enhance access to ports and payment systems for such transactions.
Zelensky sees this move as sanctions relief for Russia.
He also said that Ukraine can turn to the U.S. in case the ceasefire is violated by Russia.
The Kremlin claimed that the ban on energy strikes had been in effect since March 18 and would be valid for 30 days with the possibility of extension.
Despite the agreement between U.S. President Donald Trump and his Russian counterpart, Vladimir Putin a week ago, Russia has continued its regular campaign of aerial attacks against Ukrainian cities and infrastructure.
The Kyiv IndependentThe Kyiv Independent