Russia and Ukraine have reached an agreement to stop fighting in the Black Sea, after a deal brokered by the United States. However, it is uncertain whether the agreement will be implemented soon, or at all.

One major condition set by Russia is that restrictions on its agricultural exports must first be lifted. These restrictions were imposed by the United States and the European Union and removing them will be difficult.

Moscow has framed the deal as a way to revive a 2022 United Nations-backed agreement that gave it some control over commercial shipping through the sea. But Kyiv insists it will not allow the Russian Navy back into the western Black Sea, which is used as Ukraine’s main seaborne export route.

Each side accused the other of violating the truce on Wednesday. Ukraine reported an attack on the port city of Mykolaiv, while Moscow claimed it shot down two Ukrainian drones over the Black Sea.

Russia’s demands, as well as differing interpretations of the agreement, have left it unclear what Ukraine stands to gain. The legitimacy of the deal and the mistrust between the two countries indicate a long road ahead in the search for peace.

Source: https://www.nytimes.com/2025/03/26/world/europe/russia-ukraine-black-sea-cease-fire.html