LONDON -- The prospect of a potential agreement between Ukraine and Russia to pause attacks on naval and energy infrastructure hinges significantly on Moscow's actions, as highlighted by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. In his evening address on Tuesday, Zelenskyy expressed skepticism about the sincerity of Russian President Vladimir Putin, particularly after more than three years of full-scale war. "Now, results are needed from Russia," he stated, underscoring that Ukraine harbors no trust in the Kremlin.
Zelenskyy made it clear, stating, "We do not trust them. And frankly -- the world doesn't trust Russia." He emphasized that Russia must demonstrate genuine readiness to end the conflict and stop misleading the international community, including leaders like President Donald Trump and the United States. The actions taken by Russia in the upcoming days will be crucial, as they will reveal the true intentions of Moscow.
The Ukrainian leader warned that if air raid alerts resurface, military activities in the Black Sea intensify, or if manipulative tactics and threats from Russia persist, Ukraine will be compelled to implement new measures specifically targeting Moscow.
According to readouts from the White House published on Tuesday, both Russia and Ukraine have agreed to ensure safe navigation in the Black Sea, eliminate the use of force, and prevent the militarization of commercial vessels. Furthermore, both nations will work on measures to implement a ceasefire agreement that aims to halt attacks on energy facilities within their territories.
President Trump remarked, "We are making a lot of progress," despite ongoing drone strikes that occurred even after the announcement of a partial ceasefire agreement. The Ukrainian air force reported that Russia launched 117 drones into Ukraine overnight, with 56 being shot down and 48 lost during flight. Regions such as Sumy, Dnipropetrovsk, Kirovohrad, and Cherkasy were affected by these Russian attacks.
In a statement shared on Telegram, Zelenskyy remarked on the 117 drones that signify Russia's commitment to prolonging the war. He stated, "To launch such large-scale strikes after ceasefire negotiations is to show everyone in the world that Moscow is not interested in making real peace." Zelenskyy called for stronger international measures and greater pressure on Russia, particularly advocating for increased sanctions from the U.S. to halt Russian strikes.
Despite both sides releasing their own accounts of the negotiations, discrepancies remain regarding the details and extent of the agreements. Russia claimed that the U.S. agreed to facilitate the restoration of access to global markets for Russian agricultural products and fertilizers. This would necessitate lifting certain sanctions imposed on Russian agricultural and food companies, a point that was absent from Ukraine's announcement.
On the other hand, Ukraine's readout included U.S. assistance with prisoner exchanges, the release of civilian detainees, and the return of forcibly transferred Ukrainian children—details not mentioned by Russia. After last week's discussions between Putin and Trump, the White House indicated that a proposed 30-day partial ceasefire would halt attacks on energy and infrastructure.
The Kremlin detailed that this ceasefire agreement, set to begin on March 18, would include a list of facilities subject to the pause in strikes, allowing either side to opt-out if violations occur. Included in this list are all nuclear power plants, oil and gas depots, pipelines, and hydroelectric dams. Both nations have accused each other of continuing attacks on critical infrastructure during the ceasefire negotiations.
Zelenskyy acknowledged the numerous questions and complexities surrounding the agreement, stating, "I think there will be a million questions and details." In his evening address, he reiterated that the responsibility for the success of the partial ceasefire lies with Moscow. "Diplomacy must work," he added, thanking all who support Ukraine's efforts, particularly expressing gratitude towards the United States for their constructive engagement.
