Ukraine and Russia agree to Black Sea ceasefire, US seeks easing of sanctions

US says both sides agree to maritime, energy ceasefires; Kremlin says deal requires lifting of some sanctions

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A satellite image shows smoke erupting from the Kavkazskaya depot following a Ukrainian drone attack, in Krasnodar Region, Russia. Photo: Planet Labs PBC via Reuters

Published: 10:08pm, 25 Mar 2025Updated: 7:30pm, 26 Mar 2025

The United States reached separate deals on Tuesday with Ukraine and Russia to pause their attacks at sea and against energy targets, with Washington agreeing to push to lift some sanctions against Moscow.

While it was not clear when or how the Black Sea maritime security deals would start, the agreements were the first formal commitments by the two warring sides since President Donald Trump’s inauguration. Trump has been pushing for an end to the war in Ukraine and a rapid rapprochement with Moscow that has alarmed Kyiv and European countries.

The US agreement with Russia goes further than the agreement with Ukraine, with Washington committing to help seek the lifting of international sanctions on Russian agriculture and fertiliser exports, long a Russian demand.

Shortly after the US announcements, the Kremlin said the Black Sea agreements would not come into effect unless links between some Russian banks and the international financial system were restored.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. Photo: AFP

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said his understanding was that the truce agreements did not require sanctions relief to come into force and would take effect immediately, calling the Kremlin’s statement an attempt to “manipulate” the deals.