The United States and Ukraine, along with the United States and Russia, agreed to a halt in the use of armed force in the Black Sea during a high-level representative meeting held in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, from the 23rd (local time) for three days.

From the left, President Donald Trump, President Volodymyr Zelensky, and President Vladimir Putin. /Courtesy of AFP
From the left, President Donald Trump, President Volodymyr Zelensky, and President Vladimir Putin. /Courtesy of AFP

On the 25th, the Ministry of National Defense of Ukraine revealed the content of the trilateral agreement through a social media statement. According to the statement, the parties to the conflict (Russia and Ukraine) agreed to ensure safe navigation in the Black Sea, exclude the use of armed force, and prevent civilian vessels from being used for military purposes.

The two countries agreed to mutually prohibit attacks on each other's energy facilities and decided to discuss measures to implement this. In particular, both countries agreed to accept the mediation of a 'third country (the United States) that will assist in the implementation of agreements in the energy and maritime sectors.'

Additionally, it was included that the United States would support the exchange of prisoners of war, the release of civilian detainees, and the return of forcibly displaced Ukrainian children.

The White House also stated in a press release at the same time that 'the United States and Russia have agreed to ensure safe navigation in the Black Sea, exclude the use of armed force, and not use commercial vessels for military purposes.'

It further stated, 'The United States and Russia have agreed to take measures to implement the recent agreement reached between the presidents of both countries on the 18th to prohibit mutual attacks on energy facilities in Russia and Ukraine.'

Subsequently, Russia officially announced the agreement. The Kremlin stated, 'Russia and the United States have agreed to ensure the implementation of the Black Sea agreement, including safe navigation in the Black Sea, prohibition of the use of armed force, prohibition of military use of civilian vessels, and the establishment of adequate control measures to monitor this in accordance with the agreement between the two heads of state.'

It emphasized that 'it was agreed to develop measures to implement the agreement between the two presidents to halt attacks on energy facilities in Russia and Ukraine for 30 days.' However, it stressed that 'the agreement on (safe navigation in the Black Sea, etc.) will only be possible after the financial sanctions on Russia's agricultural products and fertilizers are lifted and the consolidation of the international payment system (Society for Worldwide Interbank Financial Telecommunication (SWIFT)) is restored.'

Previously, Russia and Ukraine had been holding practical talks since the 23rd under the mediation of the United States regarding a partial ceasefire plan. The United States held talks with Ukraine on the 23rd, followed by talks with Russia on the 24th, and then met again with Ukraine on the 25th to coordinate the positions of both sides.