Zelenskyy accuses Russia of ‘manipulating’ ceasefire deal following US-Russia talks

(MENAFN) Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy accused Russia of "manipulating" ceasefire agreements following high-level talks between Moscow and Washington in Saudi Arabia on Tuesday. The White House had previously announced that the US, Russia, and Ukraine had agreed to “ensure safe navigation, eliminate the use of force and prevent the use of commercial vessels for military purposes in the Black Sea.”

Additionally, the US pledged support for restoring Russia's access to global markets for agricultural and fertilizer exports, while both nations agreed to establish protocols to protect energy facilities in Russia and Ukraine from attacks.

Although the Kremlin confirmed the agreements, it stipulated that the terms would only take effect once specific sanctions and restrictions on Russia were removed. Russia and the US also outlined a 30-day ban on strikes against energy facilities, "starting from March 18, 2025, with the possibility of extending and withdrawing from the agreement in the event of non-compliance by one of the parties."
Zelenskyy stated during a briefing delivered in late-night, “Unfortunately…right on the day of the talks, we see how the Russians have already started to manipulate. They are already trying to distort the agreements and actually deceive our mediators and the whole world.”

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