Russia, US discuss new agreement to revive Black Sea Initiative, Moscow confirms
Russian President Vladimir Putin (R) and U.S. President Donald Trump are pictured before a meeting in Helsinki, Finland on July 16, 2018. (AFP Photo)
Russia and the U.S. are in discussions over a new agreement aimed at reviving the Black Sea Initiative, the Russian Foreign Ministry announced Thursday in Moscow.
“The outlines of a new agreement are currently under discussion,” ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said during a briefing, referencing recent Russian-American talks held in Riyadh.
Following expert consultations between both nations in the Saudi capital, the Kremlin stated that Russia and the U.S. had agreed to ensure the implementation of the Black Sea Initiative, which is designed to safeguard maritime navigation and prevent the use of commercial vessels for military purposes.
However, Moscow emphasized that it would not rejoin the original grain deal unless Western sanctions on Russian ships and agricultural equipment are lifted.
Russia slams Western countries
Zakharova also criticized Western countries for allegedly planning military intervention in Ukraine under the guise of a peacekeeping mission.
“London and Paris continue to nurture the idea of military intervention in Ukraine, disguising it as a ‘peacekeeping’ mission,” she said, referring to a March 21 meeting in Northwood, UK, reportedly organized by British Prime Minister Keir Starmer.
According to Zakharova, the meeting brought together senior military officials from around 30 countries in a “coalition of the willing” to discuss sending troops to Ukraine. She added that similar discussions were expected to continue in Paris, warning that such actions could lead to a direct confrontation between Russia and NATO.
“We are categorically against such a scenario, which is fraught with a direct clash between Russia and NATO,” she emphasized.
Zakharova also accused the UK of intentionally pushing Europe toward escalation, alleging that British officials were considering deploying unidentifiable troops without insignia.
The UK and France have not publicly confirmed any plans for a peacekeeping mission in Ukraine.
The original Black Sea Grain Initiative, brokered in 2022, allowed Ukrainian grain exports via the Black Sea during the war. However, the deal collapsed in 2023 after Russia’s withdrawal, citing unmet obligations.
