Russia is manipulating the ceasefire in the Black Sea in its own interests, — Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Kyiv denied Moscow’s statements about returning to the Black Sea Grain Initiative and stressed that the ceasefire does not apply to Russian warships.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine stated that the agreement on a ceasefire in the Black Sea has nothing to do with the resumption of the Black Sea Grain Initiative, Suspilne повідомляє .

“Such an issue was not discussed at all. There were no agreements on the resumption of the initiative. Ukraine has long been ensuring navigation in its waters itself, thanks to the successful actions of the Defense Forces, which pushed the Russian fleet away from key trade routes,” stressed Foreign Ministry spokesman Georgy Tykhyi.

He explained that the agreement reached as a result of negotiations with the United States in Riyadh provides for a ban on strikes on civilian shipping and port infrastructure. However, it does not apply to Russian warships – and any of their movement beyond the eastern part of the Black Sea will be considered a violation of the terms of the agreement and a threat to Ukraine’s national security.

“In this case, Ukraine will have the full right to self-defense, including strikes on the Russian Black Sea Fleet,” the spokesman emphasized.

Tykhy also denied the Kremlin’s statements about the alleged embargo on strikes on energy infrastructure, which has been in effect since March 18, as well as the possible lifting of sanctions on Russian agricultural exporters. According to him, no agreements on sanctions were reached during the negotiations with the American side.

Currently, according to Tykhy, work is underway to create mechanisms to monitor compliance with the ceasefire agreements. The United States bears the main responsibility for their implementation, but third countries may also be involved in the process.

“Today, there are technical capabilities to monitor such a regime, and a number of additional mechanisms are being discussed. Work in this direction is ongoing,” the diplomat noted.

The day before, USM wrote that Russia wants to return the fleet to Crimea under the guise of a truce in the Black Sea.