US Says Russia, Ukraine Agree To Avoid Military Strikes On Vessels In Black Sea
Russia and Ukraine agreed to avoid military strikes on vessels in the Black Sea and ensure safe navigation, the White House announced after talks in Saudi Arabia.
Russia and Ukraine agreed separately in talks that concluded Tuesday in Saudi Arabia to avoid military strikes on vessels in the Black Sea, the White House said.
In parallel statements, the White House said each country “agreed to ensure safe navigation, eliminate the use of force and prevent the use of commercial vessels for military purposes in the Black Sea".
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Ukrainian officials warned that the movement of Russian warships would violate the Black Sea deal. Defence minister Rustem Umerov said on Facebook that if Russian warships moved from the eastern part of the Black Sea then “Ukraine will have full right to exercise right to self-defense".
He also said on social media that “it is important to hold additional technical consultations as soon as possible to agree on all the details and technical aspects of the implementation, monitoring and control of the arrangements."
The US and Ukraine have agreed to develop a mechanism prohibiting strikes on energy infrastructure in both Russia and Ukraine, as per the White House. Here is what they agreed on after the Riyadh talks:
- Safe navigation in the Black Sea, no force, no using commercial ships for military operations
- The US will help with prisoners of war (PoW) swaps, release of civilians, and return of deported Ukrainian kids
- Trump–Zelensky deal confirmed: No strikes on energy infrastructure — both sides to work on enforcement
- Third-party countries welcome to join maritime and energy efforts
- Talks on a lasting peace will continue
- The US reaffirms Trump’s stance: Immediate ceasefire is step one to peace.
An official statement from the Kremlin agreed with the White House and listed the Russian conditions:
- Lift sanctions on Rosselkhozbank, including SWIFT access
- Ease credit restrictions
- Lift sanctions on Russian agricultural sector
- End port, shipping bans on Russian vessels
- Resume agricultural equipment imports.
ROLE OF THE BLACK SEA IN THE RUSSIA-UKRAINE CONFLICT
The Black Sea has played a crucial role in the ongoing Ukraine war and has affected military operations, trade and global security. At the start of the conflict, Russia used its Black Sea Fleet to blockade Ukrainian ports, cutting off vital grain exports in a bid to dent Ukraine’s economy.
In response, Ukraine launched missile and drone attacks on Russian warships and bases, especially in Crimea, where Russia had stationed much of its naval power. After these attacks Russia removed many of its ships from Sevastopol to safer ports like Novorossiysk.
Ukraine also worked around the blockade by opening a new trade corridor along the western Black Sea, allowing ships to resume grain exports despite Russian threats. The conflict has also drawn NATO’s attention, with countries like Romania and Bulgaria increasing their military presence in the area.
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