The United States is currently reviewing a list of demands from Russia after Moscow agreed “in principle” to a ceasefire in the Black Sea. The decision follows two days of negotiations between the US, Russia, and Ukraine in Saudi Arabia.
According to U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, all sides agreed to stop using military force in the region and to ensure that commercial ships are not turned into war tools. However, Russia insists that the ceasefire will only take effect if certain economic sanctions are lifted.
Moscow has specifically demanded that restrictions on Russian food producers, exporters, and financial institutions be removed. It also wants Rosselkhozbank, a major Russian bank, to be reconnected to the SWIFT payment system. The SWIFT system is crucial for international banking and trade, and being cut off from it has severely impacted Russia’s ability to conduct global business.
Ukraine Agrees to 30-Day Ceasefire, But Russia Seeks More
Earlier this month, Ukraine stated that it was ready to accept a full 30-day ceasefire under US-backed terms, provided that Russia also agreed. However, Russia has refused to accept these terms outright. Instead, Moscow is using the ceasefire discussions as a way to push for major economic benefits.
In addition to lifting banking restrictions, Russia is demanding an end to penalties on Russian-flagged cargo ships that transport food and fertilizers. It also wants sanctions lifted on the import of farming equipment and fertilizers into Russia. These demands have raised concerns among US and European officials, who fear that giving in to them could weaken the pressure campaign against Russia.
G7 Demands Ceasefire from Russia, Vows Stronger Sanctions If Ignored
One major complication is that many of the sanctions Russia wants lifted are not under US control. According to Marco Rubio, some of these restrictions were put in place by the European Union. The EU has repeatedly stated that any changes to its sanctions policy will only come if Russia fully withdraws its troops from Ukraine.
US and EU Remain Cautious While Reviewing Russia’s Proposal
The European Commission, which oversees EU policies, has maintained a firm stance against easing sanctions. Anitta Hipper, a spokesperson for the Commission, reiterated that Russia must completely pull out of Ukraine before any discussions on reducing economic penalties can take place.
Despite this, the US has acknowledged receiving a Russian proposal for what Moscow calls an “energy truce.” This proposal reportedly includes ideas for stabilizing fuel and energy supplies while working towards a broader de-escalation plan. However, no details have been made public about whether the US considers this proposal to be reasonable.
For now, the US is carefully analyzing Russia’s demands, but there is no indication that Washington will agree to them anytime soon. The situation remains tense as all sides wait to see what comes next in the ongoing conflict and negotiations.
