Russia and Ukraine prepare to hold direct negotiations?
Delegations from the two countries will meet in Türkiye to discuss security issues in the Black Sea, CNN Turk reported.
According to information published on April 13 citing a source in the Turkish Ministry of Defense, representatives of Russia and Ukraine will hold direct negotiations in Ankara this week, specifically on April 15 and 16, at the headquarters of the Turkish Navy. Delegations from the two countries will meet to discuss security issues in the Black Sea.
However, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrey Sibiga denied this information and told TCH TV channel that “no negotiations are planned”.
Earlier, during talks between Russian and US experts in Riyadh at the end of March, the two sides agreed to move towards reviving the Black Sea Grain Initiative. According to the Kremlin, this includes lifting Western sanctions against the Russian Agricultural Bank and financial institutions involved in Russian food and fertilizer exports. Both Moscow and Washington see a maritime ceasefire as a stepping stone to a diplomatic solution to the conflict in Ukraine.
The Black Sea Grains Initiative, initially brokered by the United Nations and later Türkiye in July 2022, was meant to ensure safe passage for Ukrainian agricultural products in exchange for the US and EU lifting restrictions on Russian agricultural and fertilizer exports. However, Moscow withdrew from the deal a year later, accusing the West of failing to live up to its commitments.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky had previously said Kiev rejected a maritime ceasefire because it would “weaken the position and sanctions” against Russia.
US President Donald Trump confirmed last month that his administration was considering lifting some sanctions on Moscow to restart the Black Sea Grain Initiative, saying: “There are about five or six conditions. We’re looking at them all.”
Meanwhile, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has ruled out easing sanctions against Moscow, insisting they should remain in place until a “just and lasting peace” is achieved in Ukraine.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said that the maritime ceasefire could only come into effect if Russia’s conditions were met. “Of course, justice must prevail this time, and we will continue to cooperate with the US side within the framework of the Black Sea Initiative,” Peskov stressed.
