The United States White House, which conducted negotiations with Russia regarding a ceasefire in the Ukraine war, noted that Russia and Ukraine have agreed to halt the use of force in the Black Sea.
On the 25th (local time), the White House announced in a press release that "the United States and Russia have agreed to ensure safe navigation in the Black Sea, exclude the use of force, and not use commercial vessels for military purposes."
It added, "The United States will assist in restoring Russia's access to the global market for agricultural (agriculture products) and fertilizer exports, reducing marine insurance expenses, and enhancing access to ports and payment systems for these transactions."
Ukraine and Russia have held working-level meetings in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, since the 23rd, mediated by the United States, regarding a plan to suspend attacks on energy infrastructure for 30 days. However, the Ukraine and Russia delegations did not meet directly, and the United States facilitated agreements by meeting separately with both delegations.
The United States and Russia also agreed to implement measures to fulfill the recent agreement between U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin to prohibit mutual attacks on energy facilities of Russia and Ukraine, the White House added.
On the same day, the Ministry of National Defense of Ukraine stated through social media platform X that "all parties agreed to ensure safe navigation in the Black Sea, exclude the use of force, and ensure that merchant vessels are not used for military purposes."
It also stated, "We agreed to prohibit mutual attacks on energy facilities of Ukraine and Russia and to develop measures to implement this," adding, "Both Ukraine and Russia welcome mediation from a third country to assist in the implementation of the agreement in the energy and maritime sectors."
The Ministry of National Defense of Ukraine further added that "together with Ukraine, the United States has reaffirmed its commitment to support the exchange of prisoners of war, the release of detained civilians, and the return of forcibly displaced Ukrainian children."
However, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov claimed in an interview with Pervy Kanal that for the Black Sea Grain Agreement to resume, the United States must command Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to guarantee it.
The Black Sea Grain Agreement was signed in July 2022 through mediation by the United Nations and Turkey to ensure the safe export of Ukrainian grain through the Black Sea amid the conflict between Russia and Ukraine. However, Russia terminated the agreement in July 2023, stating that the provisions regarding the guarantee of exports of Russian food and fertilizer were not properly implemented.