Guy Faulconbridge and Tuvan Gumrukcu reported on negotiations facilitated by Turkey and nudged by the United Nations to ensure the safety of shipping in the Black Sea for Reuters reached a dead end as Ukraine unexpectedly withdrew from the agreement. The deal, which involved months of talks between Russia and Ukraine, was intended to be announced by Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan right before Turkey's critical regional elections on March 30.
The agreement aimed to provide security guarantees to merchant vessels in the Black Sea, ensuring their safety from military actions while transiting the region. It stipulated that neither Russia nor Ukraine would attack or seize commercial vessels, aligning with the Montreux Convention that regulates naval movements through Turkish straits.
Despite initial consent, Ukraine did not formally sign the agreement but allowed Erdogan to declare it. However, just as the announcement was imminent, Ukraine retracted its support, leaving the status of the agreement unclear and the deal unannounced. The reasons behind Ukraine's sudden decision remain unknown, with speculation linked possibly to ongoing tensions and military needs highlighted by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy earlier in the year.
