Black Sea Navigation: Russia's Conditional Safe Passage Deal

Moscow has agreed to ensure safe navigation in the Black Sea if Western sanctions on food and fertilizer exports are lifted. The deal includes a temporary halt on strikes on energy facilities, conditional on the lifting of sanctions on Russian banks and agri-export services.

The Kremlin announced Tuesday that Russia has agreed to secure safe passage for ships in the Black Sea, contingent upon the lifting of Western sanctions targeting companies involved in food and fertilizer exports.

In a significant diplomatic move, Russia and the United States have also consented to implement measures to cease strikes on Russian and Ukrainian energy infrastructures for a temporary span of 30 days, starting March 18. However, this commitment is surrounded by conditions.

For effective execution, Moscow insists that sanctions on Rosselkhozbank—which supports agriculture—be revoked, along with the restoration of the bank's SWIFT international messaging access. Additional sanctions affecting Russia's export of food and fertilizers, insurance services, and transportation logistics would also need to be addressed, the Kremlin stated.

(With inputs from agencies.)