Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said on Thursday that the proposed Black Sea Initiative was a new deal - not an extension of an earlier agreement.
"This is a new agreement, the contours of which are currently being discussed," Zakharova said when asked by Reuters if the proposed deal was an extension to an earlier memorandum of understanding under which U.N. officials agreed to help Russia get its food and fertiliser exports to foreign markets.
Russia said on Tuesday the United States had agreed to help it lift a series of Western sanctions and restrictions on food, fertiliser and shipping companies as preconditions for a maritime security deal in the Black Sea.
Read next
13:24
sanctions
The EU is preparing new sanctions to increase pressure on Russia. The package targets Nord Stream pipelines, expands sanctions on shadow fleet vessels, lowers the oil price cap, and tightens restrictions on Russia’s financial sector, EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said.
18:27
Ukraine-Russia
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said a planned meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin might be skipped if a ceasefire agreement is reached during technical talks in Istanbul. He also called for increased sanctions if Russia shows no willingness to end the war.
17:12
Lunar base
China and Russia have agreed to build a nuclear-powered lunar base by 2036 at the Moon’s south pole. The International Lunar Research Station will support scientific research and resource exploration, marking a major step in their joint space efforts amid shifting global space priorities.
16:30
World News
Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan has called for compromise between Russia and Ukraine, emphasizing Türkiye's hope for fruitful discussions as peace talks between the two nations are set to begin in Istanbul.
14:56
World News
The International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) has made a historic ruling that Russia violated aviation law by using weapons against Malaysia Airlines Flight MH17. The UK praised the decision as a key step toward justice for the 298 victims, including 10 UK citizens.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment