Russia and Ukraine accused each other Wednesday of derailing a US-brokered deal that could see the warring countries halt attacks in the Black Sea and against energy sites.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky denounced a barrage of more than 100 drones launched by Russia overnight, hours after Kyiv agreed to a framework for a halt in fighting in the strategic body of water.
The United States said on Tuesday that it had brokered the agreements in talks with both sides in Saudi Arabia, part of efforts by US President Donald Trump to quickly end Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, which is now grinding through its fourth year.
But key questions over implementation remain. The Kremlin said the agreement to halt Black Sea strikes could come into force only after the lifting of restrictions on its agriculture sector.
Kyiv, which has voiced readiness to agree a complete 30-day ceasefire, said it came into effect when the US published details of the agreement late Tuesday.
“Launching such large-scale attacks after ceasefire negotiations is a clear signal to the whole world that Moscow is not going to pursue real peace,” Zelensky posted on social media.
“There must also be clear pressure and strong action from the world on Russia — more pressure, more sanctions from the United States — to stop Russian strikes.”
Zelensky arrived in Paris on Wednesday, a day before a summit of the so-called “coalition of the willing”: a British-French led group of countries considering deploying troops to Ukraine to help enforce any ceasefire.
