What's Black Sea deal that US brokered between Russia, Ukraine
What's the story
The United States on Tuesday successfully brokered a naval ceasefire agreement between Russia and Ukraine after three days of talks in Saudi Arabia.
Under the deal, both countries committed to ensuring safe navigation in the Black Sea and not using force or commercial vessels for military purposes.
The US also stated that it will assist Russia in regaining "access to the world market for agricultural and fertilizer exports" and take steps to increase Moscow's access to international shipping.
Agreement details
Ceasefire agreement includes halt on energy infrastructure strikes
Apart from the naval ceasefire, Russia and Ukraine have also agreed to a 30-day temporary halt on attacks on energy facilities.
The Kremlin has said the moratorium covers oil refineries, nuclear power stations, oil and gas pipelines, fuel storage facilities, electricity generation, and transmission infrastructure, including power plants, transformers, hydroelectric dams, as well as substations.
The deal is till April 17, but can be mutually extended.
Presidents
Kyiv and Kremlin's response
Commenting on the new deal, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, expressed concerns but insisted Ukraine made the right move.
While Russia, shortly after the US announcements, stated that the Black Sea agreements would not go into force until links between some Russian institutions and the international financial system were restored.
Kyiv and Moscow both stated that they would rely on Washington to enforce the agreements, but expressed doubts that the other side would follow through.
Expert opinions
Experts skeptical about the Black Sea deal's impact
Experts also continue to be skeptical of whether this deal would have any impact on the ongoing war.
Sky News security analyst Michael Clarke said though it's a big win for the US, it wouldn't change the situation much on the ground in Ukraine.
Nico Lange of the Center for European Policy Analysis think tank had similar views, saying, "Russia had already been defeated in western Black Sea and Ukraine had fought successfully to open up trade routes from Odesa."
Doubts persist
Implementation of the Black Sea deal remains uncertain
The issue of shipping rights and safety in the Black Sea has stumped negotiators aiming to end the war and strengthen global supply lines that rely on both countries' exports of grain, seed oil, and fertilizer.
The war has disrupted grain supplies through the Black Sea, fueling worldwide concerns about food shortages.
Many African and Middle Eastern countries rely on exports to meet their food needs.
Efforts
An initial standoff was resolved in 2022
An initial standoff was resolved in 2022, when Turkey and the United Nations brokered the "Black Sea Grain Initiative," which allowed crucial food supplies to flow through the Black Sea.
However, the deal collapsed in 2023 after the Kremlin submitted a new list of conditions for the agreement's renewal, including sanctions relief and the ability to participate with its ships.
Since then, Turkey and other nations' subsequent efforts to reinstate the agreement were unsuccessful.