White House: Russia has agreed to ceasefire in the Black Sea, negotiations continue

2025-03-25 16:20:24Kosova&Bota SHKRUAR NGA REDAKSIA VOX
Illustrative photo / White House

The US says it has agreed to a naval ceasefire with Russia and Ukraine to ensure "safe navigation in the Black Sea", and is working on measures to stop attacks on energy systems.

The White House has just released two messages from its talks with Russia and Ukraine, effectively announcing an agreement for a ceasefire at sea "to ensure safe navigation, eliminate the use of force, and prevent the use of merchant ships for military purposes in the Black Sea."

The message also said the two countries agreed to "develop measures to implement" the previous agreement to stop strikes against energy infrastructure, both statements said.

Ukraine and Russia will also "continue to work towards achieving a lasting peace," the statements said.

In the message to Ukraine, the White House also said the US confirmed that it "remains committed to helping achieve the exchange of prisoners of war, the release of civilian prisoners, and the return of forcibly transferred Ukrainian children."

The Russia-specific document noted that the US would help "restore Russia's access to the world market for agricultural and fertilizer exports, reduce maritime insurance costs, and increase access to ports and payment systems for such transactions."

Both versions concluded by emphasizing that "The United States reiterated President Donald J. Trump's imperative that the killings on both sides of the Russia-Ukraine conflict must stop, as a necessary step toward achieving a lasting peace solution."

"To this end, the United States will continue to facilitate negotiations between both parties to reach a peaceful solution, consistent with the agreements made in Riyadh," they said.


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