Ceasefire breakthrough: Russia, Ukraine to halt Black Sea clashes
Volodymyr Zelensky announced on Tuesday that, according to the United States, the implementation of ceasefire agreements between Russia and Ukraine related to maritime activities and energy infrastructure should commence immediately following the publication of joint Ukrainian-American and American-Russian statements.
Zelensky expressed that following the official statement from the American side, the implementation of the decisions outlined in the document could commence. He acknowledged a lack of trust in the Russians but emphasized the intention to approach the situation constructively. If that approach is confirmed—particularly through a phone call from the defense minister—Ukraine plans to move forward with implementing the agreements reached during the Ukrainian-American meeting
Earlier, the U.S. Department of State announced, in a communiqué from the USA-Russia and USA-Ukraine talks in Saudi Arabia, that Russia and Ukraine agreed with the United States to ensure safe navigation, halt the use of force, and prevent the use of commercial ships for military purposes in the Black Sea.
USA-Ukraine talks: Statement from the Ukrainian Defense Minister
Meanwhile, Ukraine's Defense Minister, Rustem Umerov, commented on Tuesday's meeting of the Ukrainian and American delegations in Saudi Arabia's capital.
"Ukraine and the United States held bilateral technical consultations in Riyadh focused on the security of energy and critical infrastructure, safe navigation in the Black Sea, and the release and return of our prisoners and children," he wrote, adding: "All parties 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."
As the minister also emphasized, all parties agreed to ensure safe navigation, cease the use of force, and prevent the use of commercial ships for military purposes in the Black Sea.
"The Ukrainian side emphasizes that all movement by Russia of its military vessels outside of Eastern part of the Black Sea will constitute violation of the spirit of this agreement, will be regarded as violation of the commitment to ensure safe navigation of the Black Sea and threat to the national security of Ukraine. In this case Ukraine will have full right to exercise right to self-defense," Umerov explained.
