In Kyiv, Ukraine, tensions escalated as both Russia and Ukraine accused each other of violating a tentative agreement mediated by the U.S. to halt attacks on energy infrastructure. The ongoing conflict presents significant hurdles in achieving a wider peace between the two nations.
Russia’s Defense Ministry claimed that Ukrainian drones targeted and damaged an electricity facility in the Bryansk region early Wednesday and a power infrastructure in the Kursk region on Tuesday. These strikes reportedly caused power outages affecting thousands of people. Russia criticized Ukraine for allegedly undermining the U.S.-Russian agreements aimed at gradually resolving the warfare.
Responding to Russia’s allegations, Ukraine’s General Staff dismissed them as part of a misinformation campaign intended to justify continued aggression. This exchange of accusations came right after Washington declared a preliminary arrangement with both Ukraine and Russia to pause attacks on energy sites and safeguard maritime activities in the Black Sea. These discussions followed a three-day negotiation in Saudi Arabia, intended to initiate a limited 30-day ceasefire, which was tentatively agreed upon by Moscow and Kyiv the previous week.
Following the discussions on Tuesday, conflicting stances emerged when both sides disagreed on when the pause in energy site attacks should begin, leading to further accusations of ceasefire violations. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that Ukraine was ready to honor the ceasefire agreed upon with U.S. negotiators in Riyadh, starting immediately. He warned that any Russian attacks on Ukrainian energy facilities would provoke strong retaliation. Meanwhile, the Kremlin asserted that it had not targeted Ukrainian energy facilities since March 18, referencing a previous agreement between Russian President Vladimir Putin and former U.S. President Donald Trump to pause such attacks for 30 days. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov reassured that Russia would adhere to the agreement despite alleged Ukrainian infractions, acknowledging the progress made due to constructive relations with the U.S.
Ukrainian officials, including Zelenskyy’s communications adviser Dmytro Lytvyn, disputed Russia’s assertion, detailing ongoing attacks on energy sites. Lytvyn claimed that Ukrainian defenses have intercepted numerous drones, many of which likely targeted essential energy facilities.
In parallel developments, the White House announced an agreement to ensure safe navigation and prevent militarization of commercial vessels in the Black Sea. However, Russia insisted that any potential Black Sea arrangement would be contingent on lifting sanctions against its agricultural bank and securing access to the SWIFT international payments system. Speaking in Paris, Zelenskyy accused Russia of complicating what should be an “unconditional agreement” and stressed that it is premature to ease sanctions against Russia. He emphasized the need for consistent international pressure on Russia to genuinely end the conflict. Zelenskyy urged continued discussions with allies, including the United States and the European Union, to finalize new sanctions packages.
The White House reaffirmed its commitment to facilitating Russia’s access to global markets for agricultural products, reducing maritime insurance costs, and improving access to ports and payment systems. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio indicated that the U.S. would evaluate Moscow’s conditions, stressing that the sanctions in question were under European Union jurisdiction.
Meanwhile, U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres showed support for the Black Sea commitments, noting their potential significance in enhancing global food security and supply chains. The U.N. remains undecided about its role in monitoring the agreement.
During a joint appearance with French President Emmanuel Macron in Paris, Zelenskyy reiterated the necessity of a foreign contingent to oversee and manage the situation, arguing that international oversight is crucial to deterring potential Russian aggression. Macron expressed consideration for deploying European troops to Ukraine as part of security guarantees and is working with U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer to form a “coalition of the willing.”
In response, Russia has explicitly rejected the idea of NATO member troops acting as peacekeepers in Ukraine.
Kryvyi Rih, the hometown of President Zelenskyy, faced a severe drone attack described as the most extensive of its kind since the conflict began, according to city administration head Oleksandr Vilkul. Although no casualties were reported, significant destruction to civilian infrastructure, including warehouses, administration buildings, and a fire station, was noted.