Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Tuesday stated that he would urge United States President Donald Trump to impose sanctions on Russia and provide Ukraine with weapons if Russia violates the Black Sea deal.
This follows an announcement by the United States that it had reached separate agreements with Ukraine and Russia to ensure safe navigation in the Black Sea and to enforce a ban on strikes against energy facilities in both countries.
The White House, in a statement, confirmed that each country had agreed to guarantee safe navigation, refrain from the use of force, and prevent commercial vessels from being used for military purposes in the Black Sea.
Commenting on the development, Zelenskyy asserted that Ukraine would uphold its part of the agreement and would push for further sanctions if Russia failed to do the same.
“If the Russians violate this, then I have a direct question for President Trump,” Zelenskyy told reporters in Kyiv.
“If they violate it, here is the evidence – we ask for sanctions, we ask for weapons,” he said.
Ukraine and Russia have been at war for over three years, with thousands of casualties recorded since Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022.
