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By Brendan Cole and Shane Croucher
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The White House said Russia and Ukraine have both agreed to "eliminate the use of force" in the Black Sea following talks in Saudi Arabia, a sign of progress toward the war-ending peace deal that U.S. President Donald Trump is seeking to secure.
In two separate statements on the outcomes of the talks between the sides, the White House said Moscow and Kyiv had "agreed to ensure safe navigation, eliminate the use of force, and prevent the use of commercial vessels for military purposes in the Black Sea."
Moreover, the United States "will help restore Russia's 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."
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Russia and Ukraine also agreed "to develop measures for implementing" the "agreement to ban strikes against energy facilities of Russia and Ukraine." Since the initial agreement last week, each side has accused the other of striking key infrastructure.
Why it Matters
While these agreements are important and represent a win for Trump's style of diplomacy, it remains to be seen if both sides will adhere to them, and substantial obstacles to a complete peace remain.
Trump wants to end what he sees as an intolerable level of destruction and loss of life. He also no longer wants American taxpayers to bear the cost of supporting Ukraine's defense against Russia's invasion.
But Ukraine has said recognizing its territory Moscow has occupied as Russian is a red line it will not cross. Moreover, Ukraine wants post-war security guarantees, like peacekeeping troops from NATO members, that Moscow will find hard to accept.
What To Know
Even when battlefield momentum was in Russia's favor, Kyiv found success in striking Russia's Black Sea fleet with drones, forcing much of it to be shifted away from Crimea and to safer waters.
However, the Black Sea fighting had a substantial impact on commercial shipping, particularly grain exports, hurting the global food supply. The White House hoped to use the Saudi talks to allow the free flow of shipping once again in the Black Sea.
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A previous deal brokered by the United Nations and Turkey, which Russia exited in 2023, had allowed for maritime shipping in the Black Sea and both countries to export grain.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Monday that the previous Black Sea agreement had failed to deliver some of Moscow's demands.
Maritime battles have been only a small part of the war since 2023, and Ukraine reopened ports and resumed exports once Russia's fleet moved away.
What People Are Saying
Ukrainian Defense Minister Rustem Umerov warned Russia that its fleet should not leave the eastern part of the Black Sea.
Umerov said that such movement of its military vessels "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."
He added: "In this case Ukraine will have full right to exercise right to self-defense."
Further "technical consultations as soon as possible" were needed to "agree on all the details and technical aspects of the implementation, monitoring and control of the arrangements," Umerov said.
Before the White House statements, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said Russia was in favor of resuming a truce in the Black Sea but warned Moscow needed clear guarantees, meaning an order from Trump to Zelensky not to break it.
Lavrov said Russia cannot take Kyiv at its word.
What Happens Next
More talks are ahead to iron out the details of the Black Sea truce and to discuss how to implement a ceasefire on energy infrastructure.
Any ceasefire will be fragile, and trust is low. Strikes have continued from either side during the talks, with each accusing the other of violating Trump's deal.
But Trump will feel his vision of a peace deal is beginning to take shape.
Update 3/25/25, 12:53 p.m. ET: This article was updated with additional information.
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