Russia Reveal Conditions for Activating Black Sea Security Deal

Russia has stated that several conditions must be met before it agrees to activate a Black Sea maritime security deal negotiated with the United States.

The Kremlin emphasized that in a previous agreement, Moscow’s concerns were ignored. The United States recently reached separate deals with Ukraine and Russia to stop fighting in the Black Sea and pause attacks on energy targets, with Washington agreeing to push for the easing of some sanctions against Russia.

Although food and fertilizer exports from Russia are not directly under Western sanctions, Moscow argues that restrictions on payments, logistics, and insurance have created obstacles. One of Russia’s key demands is the reconnection of its state agricultural bank, Rosselkhozbank, to the SWIFT international payment system, which would require approval from European nations.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov stated that the Black Sea grain initiative could be reactivated only if all conditions, including those that benefit Russia, are fulfilled. He noted that in the original deal, brokered by the United Nations and Turkey in 2022, commitments to ease barriers on Russian food and fertilizer exports were not honored. Moscow withdrew from that agreement in 2023, citing unmet promises.

Peskov stressed that Russia would continue discussions with the United States to ensure a fair outcome this time.