Russia and Ukraine agreed on Tuesday, during talks in Riyadh, to halt military strikes in the Black Sea and on energy sites. These negotiations were brokered by the United States, which proposed easing pressure on agricultural exports as an initial incentive to Moscow.
With a focus on achieving a swift conclusion to the ongoing conflict that has resulted in the deaths of tens of thousands, U.S. negotiators spent three days facilitating dialogue between the two nations. President Donald Trump emphasized the importance of ending the war quickly.
In joint statements, the White House announced that both Russia and Ukraine agreed to ensure safe navigation in the Black Sea, eliminate the use of force, and prevent commercial vessels from being used for military purposes. Additionally, the United States indicated that it would pursue enforcement measures to prohibit strikes on energy infrastructure in both countries.
The Kremlin stated that the agreement to halt strikes in the Black Sea would only take effect following the lifting of restrictions on its agricultural sector. They noted that a 30-day energy truce, previously ordered by President Vladimir Putin, would apply to pipelines, power stations, and refineries.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, responding to diplomatic pressures from Trump amid a temporary suspension of U.S. aid and intelligence sharing, expressed cautious optimism regarding the agreements, stating that it was too early to conclude their effectiveness but acknowledged they were “the right steps.” Zelensky also mentioned the possibility of involving third parties, such as Turkey and another Middle Eastern nation, to oversee the agreements.
In a broadening context, Trump had directly communicated with Putin after assuming office, reversing the West’s previous stance post-Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022. The U.S. expressed readiness to help restore market access for Russian agricultural and fertilizer exports, despite never having imposed direct sanctions on Russian agriculture. However, restrictions on payment systems for international transactions significantly impacted these exports.
Moscow indicated the deal would only be enforceable following the lifting of sanctions on the Russian Agricultural Bank and other institutions critical to international food trade, including reconnection to the SWIFT payment system. Zelensky voiced concerns that this situation could undermine Ukraine’s position and dilute sanctions against Russia.
Ukrainian Defense Minister Rustem Umerov, who was part of the talks, remarked that details regarding the Black Sea agreement were not finalized, issuing a warning that Ukraine reserved the right to self-defense should Russian warships move from the eastern region of the Black Sea.
Earlier this month, Ukraine had accepted an unconditional ceasefire proposed by the U.S., but Russia rejected it, with Kyiv accusing Moscow of seeking further battlefield advantages first.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov did not suggest that a wider ceasefire was nearing agreement, focusing instead on the significance of shipping routes through the Black Sea. Previously, a UN-brokered deal had allowed safe passage for grain exports from Ukraine, though Russia expressed dissatisfaction with the benefits to its trade.
Before the U.S. announcement regarding agricultural exports, Lavrov accused Western nations of attempting to contain Russia, likening their strategies to historical figures such as Napoleon and Hitler. Zelensky anticipated gaining further clarity from an upcoming summit in Paris, where discussions on potential peacekeeping contributions to Ukraine would take place.
The Riyadh talks occurred amid escalating attacks, with Ukraine reporting that its air defense had intercepted 78 out of 139 drones launched by Russia on Tuesday. In the northeastern city of Sumy, a recent Russian strike on a residential area resulted in 101 injuries, including 23 children, with several individuals in serious condition. Russia claimed advancements in some frontline areas and reported the capture of two additional villages in southern and eastern Ukraine.
