Zelenskyy states that the ceasefire in the Black Sea and regarding energy infrastructure took effect on March 25. Moscow, however, see it differently.

An agreement to mutually refrain from attacks on energy facilities, along with a ceasefire in the Black Sea, went into effect that day, President Zelenskyy announced on March 25. He explained that an agreement has been reached to ensure that neither side will target energy infrastructure. Additionally, they are considering the possibility of maintaining “silence” at sea and ensuring safe shipping. The president cautioned that if Moscow breaches the ceasefire, he will request weapons supplies from the US along with new sanctions against Russia.

Zelenskyy pointed out that immediately following the talks, the Kremlin began to manipulate the agreements that were reached in Riyadh. Specifically, Moscow claimed that the ceasefire in the Black Sea is contingent upon the lifting of sanctions and asserted that the commencement date for the moratorium on energy facility attacks was March 18. However, since that date, eight strikes on Ukrainian energy facilities have been recorded.

“If the Russians fail to comply with today’s agreements and attempt to exert pressure on America, Europe, and Ukraine once again, the response must be clear: definitely new sanctions, and definitely more pressure,” Zelenskyy asserted.