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On Tuesday, the United States announced two separate cease-fire agreements between Ukraine and Russia. Both countries committed to stop strikes in the Black Sea and halt bombing each other's energy targets.

Led by former President Donald Trump, the U.S. published two separate joint statements with Moscow and Kyiv outlining the deals, but neither document set out a clear timeline for their implementation.​

Implementation Disputes

Despite the agreements, rhetoric from Moscow and Kyiv suggests they remain far apart. On Wednesday, Ukraine and Russia accused each other of breaking the truce on energy strikes brokered by the United States, and the European Union said it would not meet conditions set by Russia for a planned ceasefire in the Black Sea.​

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that the U.S. informed Kyiv the deals were effective immediately upon being announced.

However, the Kremlin asserted that the Black Sea agreement would not begin until a sanctioned Russian state bank was reconnected to the international payment system. Europe responded that the condition would not be met until Russia withdrew from Ukraine.​

Cease-fire Agreements Early Violations

The Kremlin contends it has been implementing a pause on energy attacks since March 18. Nevertheless, a senior Ukrainian presidential official reported that Russia has attacked eight Ukrainian energy facilities since that date.​

Overnight, Russia claimed it had taken down nine drones, including two over the Black Sea.

It also alleged that Ukraine attempted to attack a gas storage facility in Russian-occupied Crimea and energy infrastructure in Russia's Kursk and Bryansk regions. 

Ukraine has recently been increasing the size and scope of its drone assaults within Russia. The high watermark this month came on March 10 as Kyiv launched at least 343 drones into Russia, according to the Defense Ministry in Moscow. More than 90 drones were shot down over Moscow, with the capital's mayor describing the assault as "massive."

Calls for New Sanctions

Zelenskyy called on the United States to impose additional sanctions on Moscow, asserting that Russia was not pursuing a "real peace" following the latest night of Russian drone attacks.

He emphasized that "Everyone who was affected must be given assistance. But there must also be clear pressure and strong action from the world on Russia—more pressure, more sanctions from the United States—to stop Russian strikes."​

European Union's Stance

Diplomats have indicated that the Kremlin requires European Union sanctions to be lifted before a Black Sea truce takes effect. The EU stated it was not targeting trade in food, grain, or fertilizers and made clear it would not adjust sanctions while Russian forces remained in Ukraine.