Russia has agreed with the United States to ensure safe navigation, eliminate the use of force, and prevent the use of commercial vessels for military purposes in the Black Sea, according to a statement from the White House summarizing U.S.-Russia and U.S.-Ukraine talks held in Saudi Arabia.
“The United States and Russia have agreed to ensure safe navigation, eliminate the use of force, and prevent the use of commercial vessels for military purposes in the Black Sea,” reads the communiqué from the discussions between the U.S. and Russian delegations. The same formulation was included in the statement following U.S.-Ukrainian talks.
Both Russia and Ukraine were also expected “to develop measures for implementing President Trump’s and President Putin’s agreement to ban strikes against energy facilities of Russia and Ukraine.”
Additionally, the United States reportedly agreed to assist Russia in “restoring access to the world market for agricultural and fertilizer exports, lower maritime insurance costs, and enhance access to ports and payment systems for such transactions.”
Expert Commentary
“This is very timely, progressive, and indeed a bold development, because amid the maze of various statements that have been made, a certain image emerges — one of a willingness to cease hostilities and undertake actions toward peace,” said Gen. Dariusz Wroński on TV Republika. “Nonetheless, these are only initial, very general pieces of information,” he added.