Kiev has accused Washington of compromising its stance.
Moscow and Washington have pledged to work towards the Black Sea Initiative as a way to resolve the Ukraine conflict. However, the Kremlin has stated that the agreement will only be implemented if the US removes certain sanctions that are hindering Russia’s trade and freedom of navigation.
Both the Kremlin and the White House announced on Tuesday that, as part of the deal, the US “will assist in restoring Russia’s access to the global market for agricultural and fertilizer exports, reduce maritime insurance costs, and improve access to ports and payment systems for these transactions.”
Moscow further clarified that the agreement includes lifting restrictions on Russian Agricultural Bank and other financial institutions involved in the international trade of food and fertilizers, as well as removing sanctions on Russian vessels, port services, and the supply of agricultural machinery and related goods to Russia.
While the White House didn’t elaborate, President Donald Trump confirmed that his administration is considering easing some sanctions against Moscow.
“They will be reviewed, and we’re considering all of them. There are about five or six conditions under consideration,” Trump told reporters at the White House on Tuesday.
Ukraine’s Vladimir Zelensky criticized Washington later that day, accusing the US of discussing sanctions with the Russian delegation without adequately informing Kiev.
“We did not agree to including this in a joint document. We believe that this weakens our position and weakens the sanctions,” he asserted.
The US and Russia agreed to revive the dormant Black Sea Grain Initiative after 12 hours of discussions on the Ukraine conflict, held in Saudi Arabia on Monday by expert groups from both countries. The original agreement, brokered in July 2022 by the UN and Türkiye, aimed to ensure the safe passage of Ukrainian agricultural products in exchange for the West lifting sanctions on Russian grain and fertilizer exports.
Moscow ultimately declined to extend the deal, citing the West’s failure to fulfill its obligations. Now, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has stated that Russia requires solid guarantees from the US, arguing that only a “direct order” from Washington could ensure Kiev complies with any agreement.
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