Russia and Ukraine Agree to Black Sea Ceasefire

Russia and Ukraine Agree to Cease Hostilities in the Black Sea

Russia and Ukraine have reached separate agreements with the United States to halt military operations in the Black Sea, following three days of peace negotiations held in Saudi Arabia.

In an official statement, the U.S. government confirmed that both nations have agreed to suspend their respective naval confrontations and pledged to work collaboratively toward a “lasting peace.” The agreements are expected to reopen a critical maritime corridor for global trade, which has been significantly disrupted by ongoing conflict.

The White House also announced that both sides have committed to “developing measures” to enforce a previously agreed ban on targeting each other’s energy infrastructure.

However, Russia emphasized that its compliance with the maritime ceasefire will be contingent upon the removal of specific sanctions imposed on its food and fertilizer exports.

Throughout the negotiations in Riyadh, U.S. officials held parallel discussions with mediators representing Moscow and Kyiv. Notably, representatives from Russia and Ukraine did not engage in direct talks.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky welcomed the development, describing it as a positive move.

“This is an early step, and it’s too soon to determine its effectiveness,” Zelensky told a press conference in Kyiv. “But these were the right meetings, the right decisions, and the right actions.”