Russia Signals Willingness for New Black Sea Shipping Safety Deal

Russia expressed readiness to negotiate a new Black Sea shipping safety agreement conditional on a U.S. command to Ukrainian President Zelenskiy to comply. Russia needs guarantees, as emphasized by Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, pointing to U.S. pressure on Kyiv as vital for progress toward a broader ceasefire with Ukraine.

On Tuesday, Russia indicated its openness to formulating a fresh agreement on safeguarding shipping in the Black Sea, which they view as a potential move towards a comprehensive ceasefire with Ukraine. This willingness from Russia, however, is contingent upon a specific demand: the United States must direct Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy to adhere to the agreement.

Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov underscored the necessity for solid guarantees, stating that only an order from Washington would suffice to ensure Russia could trust in the agreement's enforcement. This stance arises after the collapse in 2023 of a previous arrangement aimed at securing merchant shipping safety, following the Russian military incursion into Ukraine.

Discussions at a U.S.-Russia meeting in Saudi Arabia recently focused heavily on the Black Sea initiative, seeking to allow Ukraine to resume grain exports despite ongoing conflict. The Kremlin emphasized analysis of the talks' outcomes, while both sides remain wary of Washington's influence on Zelenskiy, with Moscow demanding greater U.S. pressure for a maritime truce.

(With inputs from agencies.)