Washington, D.C. – The White House has announced a pivotal agreement between the United States and Russia concerning the Black Sea, a region of intense strategic and maritime significance.
This agreement, stemming from extensive discussions held this week, aims to establish a secure passage for maritime traffic within the Black Sea.
Delegations from Ukraine and the United States convened in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on Tuesday, where critical talks were conducted.
Following these discussions, Ukrainian Defense Minister Rustem Umerov confirmed the agreement, outlining its core tenets: “We have agreed to ensure safe navigation, eliminate the use of force, and prevent the utilization of commercial vessels for military purposes in the Black Sea.”Beyond the commitment to safe navigation, the United States and its international partners have also pledged to prohibit attacks on energy infrastructure located within both Russian and Ukrainian territories.
In a move that signals a potential shift in the dynamics of Western sanctions, Washington has further agreed to facilitate the restoration of Russia’s access to global agricultural and fertilizer markets. This component of the agreement raises pertinent questions regarding the future scope and nature of existing Western sanctions against Russia.
In parallel, the United States has reaffirmed its unwavering commitment to the repatriation of Ukrainian children who have been forcibly transferred, a matter of deep humanitarian concern.
Full Text of the White House Statement on Russia:
“The United States and Russia have reached a consensus to guarantee safe navigation within the Black Sea, to explicitly prohibit the use of force, and to prevent the deployment of commercial vessels for military operations.
The United States has committed to aiding in the restoration of Russia’s access to the global market for agricultural and fertilizer exports. This assistance will include measures to reduce maritime insurance costs and enhance access to ports and payment systems for these specific transactions.
The United States and Russia have agreed to develop and implement measures that operationalize the agreement between President Donald J. Trump and President Vladimir Putin, which aims to ban strikes against energy infrastructure situated in both Russia and Ukraine.
The United States and Russia acknowledge and appreciate the diplomatic efforts of third-party nations in providing their good offices to support the implementation of these energy and maritime agreements.
The United States and Russia have pledged to continue their collaborative efforts towards achieving a durable and lasting peace.
The United States has reiterated President Donald J. Trump’s urgent call for an immediate cessation of hostilities on both sides of the Russia-Ukraine conflict, emphasizing this as a crucial step towards establishing an enduring peace settlement.
To this end, the United States will persist in facilitating negotiations between the involved parties, aiming to achieve a peaceful resolution that aligns with the agreements reached in Riyadh.The United States extends its sincere gratitude to Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman for his exemplary leadership and hospitality in once again hosting and facilitating these critical discussions within the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.”
