Russia-Ukraine Ceasefire Leads to Accusations All Around

Elizabeth Denton

Staff Writer

Last week, the United States worked to create a limited ceasefire between Ukraine and Russia. The tentative deal regarding a ceasefire over the Black Sea also includes a large portion about energy infrastructure, reports The Associated Press. However, Ukraine, the U.S., and Russia have differing opinions on what exactly the deal covers. The U.S. has expressed emphasis on energy and infrastructure, whereas Ukraine would like to include railways and ports. Russia, on the other hand, insists the agreement refers only to energy infrastructure. Russian President Vladimir Putin also made his wishes for the cessation of foreign military aid and intelligence sharing from the U.S. to Ukraine clear during the discussion.

The headline of the agreement centers around a naval ceasefire in the Black Sea, negotiated through separate deals with the U.S. in Saudi Arabia. According to BBC News, throughout the discussion the Russian and Ukrainian delegations did not meet directly, instead engaging through U.S. officials in the aim of brokering a truce between the two. 

In addition to the deal, the countries also committed to implementing a previously agreed ban against attacking energy infrastructure. BBC News reports that Russia recently announced the naval ceasefire would come into force only after a number of sanctions, including reconnecting banks concerned with the SWIFT payment system, lifting restrictions on servicing Russian ships regarding food trade, the supply of agricultural machinery and more.

Zelenskyy has conveyed that his understanding of the truce agreement was that it did not require sanctions relief to come into force, shares Reuters, and has accused Kremlin of attempting to manipulate the deal.

Despite the ongoing negotiations, hundreds of drone attacks were launched by both Russia and Ukraine, injuring civilians and damaging numerous buildings. According to The Associated Press, Kropyvnytskyi in central Ukraine faced its largest drone attack of the war. Nearly four dozen drones injured fourteen people and damaged homes and apartments. 

On the other side, over fifty drones were intercepted in the Saratov region in Russia. The drones shattered hospital windows, damaged two kindergartens, a school, and about thirty houses. The attacks appeared to be focused on an industrial city near Russia’s main center for nuclear-capable strategic bombers. These attacks have led to much finger pointing and dissention between the two nations, heightening tension once more.

The U.S. is not the only country with their eye on the conflict and ceasefire. European Union leaders are considering a Europe-only approach for the first time since World War II. Leaders met with Ukrainian President Zelenskyy in Brussels to discuss a $865 billion joint defense plan. During the meeting the German Chancellor, Olaf Scholz, reiterated his rejection of any U.S.-led peace in Ukraine, and Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, a previous Trump ally, expressed support for strengthening European defenses, reports Foreign Policy. However, experts believe any kind of long-term solution to the Ukraine-Russia crisis is unlikely without Washington’s participation. Many speculate the U.S. will need to negotiate a larger strategic understanding going beyond a Ukraine settlement with Russia.

In the wake of the agreement, both Russia and Ukraine have since accused each other of breaking the terms of the deal. According to The Associated Press, Russia’s Defense Ministry reported Ukrainian drone attacks hitting an electric facility in the Bryansk area, as well as an attack in the Kursk region. These attacks ultimately led to a power cut affecting thousands of people. Ukraine’s General Staff has denied these allegations, expressing that Russia’s claims were part of a disinformation campaign to justify the continued hostilities.

While the ceasefire shows hope for the crisis being absolved, the tensions and hostilities do not prove optimistic. The U.S. has shown great interest in resolving the conflict, and with the European Union also attempting to play a role as well the chances of the conflict being settled increased, though many are still pessimistic about the outcome.

Image courtesy of Getty Images.