The U.S. announced that it reached an agreement with Russia and Ukraine to stop strikes on energy infrastructure and in the Black Sea

The White House and Russia have published statements on the results of the meetings between the US and Russian delegations, as well as the US and Ukraine, in Riyadh from March 23-25.

Vladimir Zelensky also spoke about the agreements, stating that a moratorium on strikes in the Black Sea could start taking effect immediately.

The full US statement on the negotiations with the Russian side is as follows:

“In accordance with presidential-level negotiations between President Donald Trump and President Vladimir Putin, the United States organized bilateral technical talks with the Russian delegation from March 23-25 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. As a result of the discussions:

• The US and Russia agreed to ensure safe navigation, exclude the use of force, and prevent the use of commercial vessels for military purposes in the Black Sea.
• The US will assist in restoring Russia’s access to the global market for agricultural products and fertilizers, in reducing costs for maritime insurance, and in improving access to ports and payment systems for such operations.
• The US and Russia agreed to develop measures to implement the agreement between Presidents Trump and Putin on banning strikes on the energy infrastructure of Russia and Ukraine.
• The US and Russia welcome the participation of third countries willing to assist in implementing the agreements in the energy and maritime sectors.
• The US and Russia will continue working towards achieving a durable and sustainable peace.

The US reaffirmed President Donald Trump’s position on the necessity of an immediate cessation of hostilities on both sides of the Russian-Ukrainian conflict as a crucial step towards a long-term peaceful settlement. In this regard, the US will continue to facilitate negotiations between the parties in the spirit of the agreements reached in Riyadh.”

The statement on the results of negotiations with the Ukrainian delegation in Saudi Arabia differs from the previous one in only two respects:

• the presence of a clause stating that “Washington is committed to facilitating the exchange of prisoners, the release of detained civilians, and the return of forcibly relocated Ukrainian children”;
• the absence of a clause on assisting the restoration of Russian agricultural exports.

Otherwise, the two statements are identical.

In the statement about Ukraine, as in the one about Russia, it mentions agreements on ensuring the safety of navigation in the Black Sea and that the parties agreed to develop measures to prohibit strikes on the energy infrastructure of Ukraine and Russia.

Additionally, the Kremlin published a statement on the outcomes of the meeting in Riyadh.

The head of the Ukrainian delegation in Riyadh, Rustem Umerov, confirmed on Facebook the agreements with the US regarding safety in the Black Sea and the prohibition of strikes on energy facilities. He stated that the parties committed to ensuring safe navigation in the Black Sea without the use of force and commercial vessels for military purposes.

Moreover, as Umerov wrote, “Ukraine will view the movement of Russian military ships beyond the eastern Black Sea as a security threat and reserves the right to self-defense.” This was not mentioned in the White House statement.

Also, Umerov writes that all parties “agreed to implement the agreements of the presidents on the complete prohibition of strikes on the energy infrastructure of Ukraine and Russia” and that additional technical consultations are necessary for the implementation of the agreements.

Zelensky confirmed that in Saudi Arabia, they agreed on a ceasefire in the Black Sea and the introduction of a ban on strikes on energy. According to him, the moratorium on strikes could begin to take effect immediately after the statements from the White House are released.

“Defense Minister Umerov asked the American side when the agreements could come into effect. And they believe that as soon as the US officially makes statements, implementation could occur. Yes, there is no trust in the Russians. But we will be constructive,” said Zelensky.

The president reported that the next round of negotiations might take place soon, although he did not specify the topics they would cover. He added that he would ask Donald Trump for weapons and sanctions against Russia if it violates the ceasefire.

It should be noted that the negotiations between representatives of the US and Russia continued yesterday for more than 12 hours.

In Moscow today, it was reported that a joint statement following the meeting was not adopted due to “Ukraine’s position”.