There was almost a Black Sea deal in March, but Ukraine pulled out at the last minute

After two months of negotiations, the parties reached an agreement in March 2024 that would “ensure the safety of commercial shipping in the Black Sea,” a source said. Although Ukraine did not directly sign the document, it initially agreed to let Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan announce the deal as planned on March 30.

But at the last minute, before the announcement, “Ukraine abruptly backed out and the deal was canceled,” the source said. Three other people also confirmed the incident, saying it was unclear what prompted Kyiv to back away. Russia, Ukraine and Türkiye have not yet commented on the incident.

Ukrainian soldiers on a patrol boat in the Black Sea in February 2024.

Reuters quoted the content of the agreement agreed by the parties before Kyiv withdrew, saying that Russia and Ukraine will ensure the security of commercial ships in the Black Sea, pledging not to attack or seize them, as long as the ships are empty or have non- military goods.

“These guarantees do not apply to warships and civilian ships carrying military cargo (except for maritime transport agreed upon by the parties within the framework of international missions),” the document reads.

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Türkiye and the United Nations brokered the Black Sea Grain Initiative in July 2022, which created a safe maritime corridor for the export of 3 million tons of Ukrainian grain. Russia pulled out of the deal in July 2023, saying its exports of food and fertilizer were facing serious obstacles.

Source link: https://thanhnien.vn/suyt-co-thoa-thuan-bien-den-vao-thang-3-nhung-ukraine-rut-ra-vao-phut-cuoi-185240416161107819.htm