The White House said Tuesday that Russia and Ukraine have reached separate agreements to "ensure safe navigation, eliminate the use of force, and prevent the use of commercial vessels for military purposes in the Black Sea" — marking significant progress toward bringing Russia's three-year war in Ukraine to a halt.
The United States said both sides also agreed to develop measures to begin implementing a previous agreement that would ban strikes on energy facilities in both Russia and Ukraine. In turn, the U.S. said it will help restore Russian access to the world market for its fertilizer and agricultural exports by lowering maritime insurance costs and enhancing Russia's access to ports and payment systems.
The White House said it also remains committed to helping free Ukrainian civilians detained in Russia, including Ukrainian children who were forcibly transferred after the war broke out.
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The new agreements come following three days of peace negotiations between American, Russian and Ukrainian officials in Saudi Arabia. The White House said U.S. officials reiterated President Donald Trump's imperative that the Russia-Ukraine war must end and that negotiations will continue.
Both Russia and Ukraine agreed in principle last week to a limited U.S.-brokered ceasefire. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has said he is willing to engage in a ceasefire but has expressed doubts about whether Russia would uphold the terms of one. That pessimism was evidenced after Zelenskyy said Russia attacked numerous targets — including a hospital — in Ukraine with drones last week.
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"What we need is movement toward real peace—toward guaranteed security. And this is something we all need—in Ukraine, in Europe, in America, and across the world—everyone who wants stability in international relations," Zelenskyy said on Monday. "Russia remains the only actor dragging this war out, jeering at both our people and the global community. To push Russia toward peace, we need strong moves and strong actions." The White House has expressed optimism that a potential deal would lead to long-term peace in the region.
