Ukraine accuses Russia of Black Sea ceasefire deceit
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky accuses Russia of manipulation shortly after reaching a ceasefire agreement in the Black Sea. "Unfortunately, even now, even today, on the very day of negotiations, we see how the Russians have already begun to manipulate. (...) Moscow always lies," emphasizes Zelensky in the published recording.
What you need to know
- Ceasefire agreement: Ukraine and Russia, through US mediation, have reached an agreement on a ceasefire in the Black Sea and in the energy sector.
- Russia's manipulations: President Zelensky accuses Russia of manipulating facts and attempting to deceive mediators and the international community.
- Ukraine's response: Ukraine is prepared to respond decisively to any potential attacks from Russia.
- How Russia behaves in the coming days will reveal a lot, if not everything. If there are air raid alerts again, if there is renewed military activity in the Black Sea, if Russian manipulations and threats continue – then new measures will need to be taken, specifically against Moscow. Diplomacy must work, stated Volodymyr Zelensky.
Let's recall, Russia and the US agreed on a 30-day ban on attacks on energy facilities in Russia and Ukraine, with the possibility of extension or withdrawal from the agreement.
Russia, Ukraine, and the US committed to ensuring the safety of navigation in the Black Sea, eliminating the use of force, and preventing the use of commercial ships for military purposes.
Ceasefire in the Black Sea: Zelensky's accusations against Russia
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky expressed concerns about Russia's actions after reaching the ceasefire agreement.
"Ukraine is ready to work as swiftly as possible and with absolute transparency to end the war. But, unfortunately, right now, right today, right on the day of the talks, we see how the Russians have already started to manipulate," stated Zelensky. According to him, Russia is trying to distort the agreements and deceive the mediators and the world.
Zelensky emphasized that Russia lies about the conditions of the ceasefire, claiming that the silence in the Black Sea depends on sanctions issues.
"There are absolutely clear statements published by the White House. Everyone can see what they say. And there is something that the Kremlin is lying about again: that allegedly the silence in the Black Sea depends on the issue of sanctions, and that allegedly the start date for the silence in the energy sector is March 18. Moscow always lies," emphasized the Ukrainian president.
Zelensky: A decisive response if they strike
Zelensky declared that Ukraine will do everything to ensure the agreements work and that there are no attacks. "But the Russians must know and must realize: if they carry out strikes, they will face a strong response. And they will bear the responsibility. And if the Russians later try to spin tales, claiming the strikes were not on energy or civilian infrastructure, everyone will see the truth," he explained.
The president reminded that since March 11th, the US proposed a total ceasefire, but Russia did not agree to it.
"When Putin didn't say 'yes' to an unconditional ceasefire, no new sanctions were imposed on Russia. Now Moscow is making some demands about lifting part of the sanctions, despite having spent the last three years insisting that sanctions are not harmful to them, but rather beneficial," conveyed Zelensky.
He also noted that if Russia does not fulfill the terms of the agreement, then Ukraine and its allies will seek to impose new sanctions.
