Washington/Moscow/Kyiv, March 26 – The White House announced with confidence on Tuesday that Russia and Ukraine had reached a tentative agreement to halt the use of force in the Black Sea. However, the Kremlin responded sharply, stating that the deal would not be implemented unless its conditions were met, effectively delivering a diplomatic jolt to Washington. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky reacted strongly, accusing Russia of betraying mediators by introducing new demands.
Kremlin’s Conditions Stall Progress
Shortly after the White House revealed the Black Sea de-escalation framework, the Kremlin issued a statement, saying that sanctions on Russian banks, food, and fertilizer exports must be lifted for the deal to take effect. These sanctions were imposed after Russia’s unprovoked invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.
Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov emphasized that Russia seeks a fair agreement and recalled previous failed attempts at enforcing Black Sea accords. “We will proceed cautiously this time,” he added.
Zelensky Responds: “They’re Deceiving the World”
In a late-night address, Zelensky slammed Russia’s actions:
“They are already distorting the agreement and deceiving mediators and the global community,” he said, referencing Moscow’s move to add post-negotiation conditions.
Earlier that day, Zelensky held a press conference confirming Ukraine’s agreement to cease military activity in the Black Sea. However, he condemned Russia’s conditional compliance as a manipulative tactic.
Trump’s Two-Track Approach and U.S. Commitments
U.S. President Donald Trump commented that his administration is reviewing Russia’s conditions, stating:
“There are five or six conditions; we are considering all of them.”
He also stressed that the proposed agreement would help restore Russia’s access to global agricultural markets, reduce maritime insurance costs, and ease port and payment restrictions. This forms part of Washington’s strategy to de-escalate tensions while balancing both Kyiv and Moscow’s expectations.
The White House also affirmed its commitment to:
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Ban attacks on energy facilities (effective from March 18 for 30 days, extendable)
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Facilitate prisoner exchanges and civilian detainee releases
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Support the return of Ukrainian children forcibly relocated
Zelensky, however, dismissed Moscow’s claims about halting attacks on infrastructure, calling them “lies.”
Talks Held in Riyadh Amid Cautious Optimism
Diplomatic talks took place at Riyadh’s Ritz-Carlton Hotel, where U.S. and Russian officials met, following a meeting between the U.S. and Ukrainian delegations. Prior to this, Ukraine’s Defense Minister Rustem Umerov met Trump’s envoy Keith Kellogg.
The tentative Black Sea arrangement echoes a previous UN- and Turkey-mediated deal that allowed Ukraine to export grain through the Bosporus, bypassing Russian naval blockades. Russia’s Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov confirmed that Moscow is currently analyzing the outcomes of this latest round of discussions but stated there are no current plans for a direct Trump-Putin meeting.
Bhupendra Singh Chundawat is a seasoned technology journalist with over 22 years of experience in the media industry. He specializes in covering the global technology landscape, with a deep focus on manufacturing trends and the geopolitical impact on tech companies. Currently serving as the Editor at Udaipur Kiran, his insights are shaped by decades of hands-on reporting and editorial leadership in the fast-evolving world of technology.
