Russia has insisted that certain Western sanctions must be lifted before it agrees to a maritime ceasefire with Ukraine. The announcement came shortly after the US revealed that both countries had agreed to cease strikes in the Black Sea through separate agreements.
The Kremlin stated that the maritime ceasefire will only take effect once sanctions on various Russian banks are removed. The demands specifically include lifting sanctions on Rosselkhozbank, a state agricultural bank, and restoring the firms’ access to the Swift international payment system.
However, tensions escalated overnight when Moscow reportedly launched a drone attack on the port city of Mykolaiv, according to Ukrainian officials. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky responded by condemning the strikes, describing them as a clear indication that Russia is not interested in pursuing peace talks.
The development underscores the fragile nature of the situation in the region, as both sides continue to engage in military actions despite previous agreements to cease hostilities. The conflict between Russia and Ukraine has been ongoing for years, with intermittent periods of ceasefire that have often been short-lived.
The international community is closely monitoring the situation, with concerns growing over the humanitarian toll of the conflict on civilians in the region. Efforts to de-escalate tensions and establish a lasting ceasefire have so far been met with challenges, as both sides remain entrenched in their positions.
The latest demands from Russia regarding the lifting of sanctions before a maritime ceasefire further complicate efforts to resolve the conflict diplomatically. It remains to be seen how the situation will evolve in the coming days and what steps will be taken to address the ongoing crisis.
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