US officials have been keen to broker a long-lasting peace between Russia and Ukraine, although Western leaders have questioned whether too few demands are being made of the Kremlin
Russia and Ukraine have agreed to a Black Sea airstrike ceasefire following peace talks in Saudi Arabia. The White House said Kyiv and Washington DC thrashed out an agreement to ensure safe passage of vessels in the Black Sea, where many ships export grain and other goods to countries in Europe, the Middle East and beyond.
Donald Trump has long called for an end to the war in Ukraine and said that killing on both sides “must stop”. The White House said in a statement today: “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.
“The United States will help restore Russia’s access to the world market for agricultural and fertiliser exports, lower maritime insurance costs, and enhance access to ports and payment systems for such transactions.
“The United States and Russia agreed to develop measures for implementing President Trump’s and President Putin’s agreement to ban strikes against energy facilities of Russia and Ukraine.
“The United States and Russia welcome the good offices of third countries with a view toward supporting the implementation of the energy and maritime agreements.
“The United States and Russia will continue working toward achieving a durable and lasting peace. The United States reiterated President Donald J. Trump’s imperative that the killing on both sides of the Russia-Ukraine conflict must stop, as the necessary step toward achieving an enduring peace settlement.
“To that end, the United States will continue facilitating negotiations between both sides to achieve a peaceful resolution, in line with the agreements made in Riyadh.
“The United States expresses gratitude to Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman for his leadership and hospitality in once again facilitating these important discussions in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.”
Mr Trump vowed to end the conflict between Russia and Ukraine within a single day while on the campaign trail. Now in the White House, Mr Trump’s original timeline has not been met and European leaders have questioned why few demands have been made on Russia when compared to Ukraine.
US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth previously said the US would not offer a security guarantee for Ukraine and that it would not demand Russia give up any of the country’s territories that it has occupied during the war.
US Special Representative Steve Witkoff also appeared to repeat Kremlin talking points during a recent interview with ex-Fox News host Tucker Carlson.
He claimed Russian referendums in occupied territories of Ukraine were valid, when they have been described as otherwise by international observers and claimed Russia would not march across Europe despite Putin having previously ordered a proxy war in eastern Ukraine and an offensive against Georgia, a former part of the Soviet Union, in 2008.
