Ukraine Agrees to Ceasefire on Energy Infrastructure Amid Black Sea Tensions:

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has confirmed Ukraine’s agreement to a U.S.-brokered ceasefire focused on protecting energy infrastructure. Speaking in a video address on Tuesday, he stated, “A ceasefire for energy infrastructure can start today,” but cautioned that any new strikes from Russia would provoke a “strong retaliation.”

The development follows three days of negotiations in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, involving separate U.S.-Ukrainian and U.S.-Russian delegations. The tentative agreement also includes provisions to secure maritime navigation in the Black Sea.

Black Sea Safety a Key Part of Ceasefire Talks
The U.S. confirmed both sides had agreed to:

Ensure safe passage for ships in the Black Sea

Prohibit use of commercial vessels for military purposes

Pause attacks on energy infrastructure

While the ceasefire is a step toward a broader 30-day truce discussed last week, both Russia and Ukraine continue to engage in drone and missile strikes, delaying implementation of a comprehensive peace arrangement.

Kremlin Pushes for Sanctions Relief in Exchange for Compliance
The Kremlin responded to the proposed Black Sea deal with demands that sanctions on the Russian Agricultural Bank and other related institutions be lifted. It called for restored access to the SWIFT payment system to facilitate international trade in food and fertilizers.

Zelenskyy dismissed these demands, accusing Moscow of distorting the agreement’s terms. “There are clear statements published by the White House,” he said. “The Kremlin is again lying that the Black Sea ceasefire is dependent on sanctions.”

In response, the White House clarified that the U.S. would work to:

Lower maritime insurance costs

Help Russia access ports and payment systems

Facilitate export of Russian food and fertilizer products

Massive Drone Assault Targets Zelenskyy’s Hometown
On the same day, Kryvyi Rih, Zelenskyy’s hometown, faced what officials described as the “most massive kamikaze drone attack” since the start of the war. City administration head Oleksandr Vilkul reported extensive damage to:

A government building

Warehouses

An industrial enterprise

A fire station

Despite the destruction, no casualties were reported. Fires erupted across the city due to the strikes.

Other regions—Sumy, Cherkasy, and Kirovohrad—also experienced drone attacks on civilian infrastructure, though no injuries were confirmed.

Ukraine’s air force reported that Russian forces launched 117 drones, including Shahed models and decoys. Defense units neutralized 56 drones and jammed 48 more.

Ceasefire Hopes Remain Fragile Amid Continued Hostilities
Although the U.S.-mediated talks mark progress toward limited ceasefires, the path to a lasting peace remains uncertain. As both Kyiv and Moscow continue offensive operations, trust remains low, and further negotiations will be essential to prevent escalation.