Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has cast doubt on Russia’s commitment to a potential ceasefire agreement, cautioning that Kyiv does not trust Moscow’s intentions. Despite ongoing diplomatic efforts to halt strikes on naval and energy infrastructure, air raids and drone attacks persist, raising concerns about Russia’s sincerity in negotiations.
“Now, results are needed from Russia,” Zelenskyy stated in his evening address on Tuesday. “We do not trust them. And frankly, the world doesn’t trust Russia. They must prove they are ready to end the war – ready to stop deceiving the world, President [Donald] Trump, and America.”
Ceasefire Agreement in Question
After three days of negotiations in Saudi Arabia, the White House announced that Ukraine and Russia had agreed to “ensure safe navigation, eliminate the use of force, and prevent commercial vessels from being used for military purposes in the Black Sea.” Additionally, both sides pledged to develop measures to prohibit attacks on energy infrastructure.
Former U.S. President Donald Trump, involved in brokering the discussions, remarked, “We are making a lot of progress.” However, despite these assurances, Russian drone strikes continued into the night.
Ukraine’s air force reported that Russia launched 117 drones overnight, of which 56 were shot down. The attacks impacted Sumy, Dnipropetrovsk, Kirovohrad, and Cherkasy regions. Meanwhile, Russia’s Defense Ministry claimed it intercepted nine Ukrainian drones, including two over the Black Sea.
Zelenskyy: Moscow is Prolonging the War
On Wednesday morning, Zelenskyy doubled down on his skepticism, stating, “There were 117 more pieces of evidence in our sky that Russia is dragging out this war – 117 strike drones.” He urged the international community to intensify sanctions on Moscow.
“Strong steps from the world and clear pressure on Russia are needed. More pressure, more sanctions from the U.S. so that the Russian strikes stop,” he emphasized.
Discrepancies in Agreements
While both nations acknowledged the tentative agreement, their interpretations diverged. Moscow claimed the U.S. had agreed to assist in restoring Russian agricultural exports by reducing shipping insurance costs and expanding access to global payment systems. The Kremlin suggested these steps would necessitate lifting sanctions on Russian food and agricultural companies.
Kyiv’s statement, however, did not reference any concessions on sanctions but emphasized U.S. support for prisoner exchanges, the release of civilian detainees, and the return of Ukrainian children forcibly taken by Russia. These points were absent from Moscow’s official communication.
30-Day Ceasefire Plan Unclear
A proposed 30-day moratorium on attacks targeting energy infrastructure reportedly began on March 18. The White House’s latest statement referenced a halt on “energy and infrastructure” strikes, whereas Russia’s wording only included “energy infrastructure.”
On Tuesday, Moscow published a list of facilities exempt from attacks, including nuclear plants, oil depots, pipelines, storage sites, and hydroelectric dams. However, the Kremlin also asserted that either side could withdraw from the agreement if the terms were violated.
Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov reiterated on Wednesday that “Putin’s order on the moratorium is in force and is being implemented by our armed forces.”
Continued Strikes Raise Doubts
Despite these assurances, both sides have accused each other of ongoing attacks on critical infrastructure. Dmytro Lytvyn, Zelenskyy’s communications adviser, reported that Russia had targeted Ukrainian energy sites eight times since March 18, including attacks on substations and transformers in Dnipropetrovsk and Kherson.
However, during a press conference in Paris, Zelenskyy noted that no Ukrainian energy sites had been attacked since Tuesday’s truce agreement, and Ukraine had also refrained from striking Russian energy infrastructure.
Zelenskyy stressed that the onus for ceasefire success rests on Moscow’s actions. “Diplomacy must work,” he said. “From the Ukrainian side, we are doing everything to make that happen. I thank everyone who is helping, and I appreciate the United States for the constructive and effective work of our teams.”
As the world watches, the coming days will be critical in determining whether the ceasefire holds or if further escalations will force additional measures against Moscow.
