Ukraine Sacrificed: U.S.-Russia Agreement in Saudi Arabia Lifts the Veil on Broken Promises

The outcome of the negotiations between the US and Russia in Saudi Arabia is a betrayal to Ukraine. Basically the US has agreed to lift a lot of sanctions from Russia (which you won't see at the White House statement but will see in the Kremlin one):

•⁠ ⁠Lifting of sanctions on Rosselkhozbank and other financial institutions involved in facilitating international trade in food products (including fish products) and fertilizers, their reconnection to SWIFT, and the opening of necessary correspondent accounts;

•⁠ ⁠Lifting of restrictions on trade finance operations;

•⁠ ⁠Lifting of sanctions on companies that produce and export food products (including fish products) and fertilizers, as well as lifting restrictions on insurance companies working with shipments of food (including fish products) and fertilizers;

•⁠ ⁠Lifting of restrictions on port servicing of vessels and sanctions on ships flying the Russian flag involved in the trade of food products (including fish products) and fertilizers;

•⁠ ⁠Lifting of restrictions on the supply of agricultural machinery to the Russian Federation, as well as other goods involved in the production of food (including fish products) and fertilizers.

All Russians have to do to lift sanctions from the needed companies including the defense one - is to have agriculture, fertilizers or fishing in their portfolio.

Also Kremlin mentions “a ban on strikes against energy infrastructure in Russia and Ukraine for a period of 30 days, starting March 18, 2025, with the possibility of extension or withdrawal from the agreement in case of non-compliance by either side”.

This means Russia will continue targeting Ukrainian cities under the pretense of striking military facilities, while Ukraine will be restricted from launching deep strikes against Russian oil refineries and depots. If Ukraine does carry out such strikes, the U.S. will likely halt weapons shipments again.

Meanwhile, in just the past week since the agreement was reportedly reached on March 18th (according to the Kremlin), Russia launched over 500 kamikaze drones at Ukraine. Ukrainian air defenses managed to intercept the majority, but dozens still reached their targets. As a result, at least 7 civilians — including a 5-year-old and a 14-year-old — were killed, and more than 30 others, including infants, were injured. Residential areas, hospitals, and critical infrastructure were hit, underscoring the devastating toll of these attacks despite defensive efforts

A 5-year-old girl, Nicole, died along with her father, Oleksandr, during recent russian strike

It's a complete betrayal negotiated behind Ukraine’s back when Ukraine has declared its willingness for a complete ceasefire. Basically Russians continue to do what they had been doing for the last 3 years plus receive a bonus in lifting sanctions while Ukraine has to stop the deep strikes on their oil depots.

Concessions were granted to Russia, while Ukraine received nothing in return. The only supposed benefit—“security for trade in the Black Sea”—is misleading at best. Ukraine had already achieved that independently over a year ago by disabling or sinking a dozen Russian warships that had been targeting civilian merchant vessels.

Framing this so-called agreement as a win for safe shipping is just a smokescreen. In reality, Ukraine secured that safety through force. This deal is less about maritime security and more about easing sanctions on Russia—conveniently timed as global demand for fertilizers surges, and with Russia poised to replace Canada as a primary supplier to the U.S. That’s the real motive.