Russia and Ukraine finally agree to 'Black Sea' ceasefire deal following long talk with US
Emily Brown
Featured Image Credit: Contributor/Getty Images/Roni Rekomaa/Bloomberg via Getty Images
Ukraine and Russia have agreed to a ceasefire deal relating to the Black Sea following discussions the two countries had with the United States.
Ukraine's defence minister Rustem Umerov confirmed news of the partial ceasefire in a lengthy statement on Twitter, in which he explained his country and the US had 'bilateral technical consultations' in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, which covered 'the security of energy and critical infrastructure, safe navigation in the Black Sea, and the release and return of our prisoners and children'.
"Fulfilling the task of the President of Ukraine, we continue to work on bringing a just peace and ensuring security for our country," he continued. "This meeting is a logical extension of the successful consultations with the United States in Jeddah. No one wants a just peace more than Ukrainians, and our position remains honest, transparent and consistent."
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Breaking down the results of the meeting, Umerov added: "Key outputs: 1. 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."
The Black Sea is located between Europe and Asia, and is used by Russia to export a significant proportion of grain, fertilizer and other goods.
Umerov continued: "Important! 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."
Other agreements reached during the discussion include developing 'measures for implementing the Presidents’ agreement to ban strikes against energy facilities of Ukraine and Russia', Umerov wrote.
He continued: "3. All parties welcome the good offices of third countries with a view toward supporting the implementation of the energy and maritime agreements.
"4. All parties will continue working towards achieving a durable and lasting peace.
"5. With Ukraine, the US reiterated its support to help achieve the exchange of prisoners of war, the release of civilian detainees, and the return of forcibly transferred Ukrainian children.
"For the effective implementation of the arrangements, it is important to hold additional technical consultations as soon as possible to agree on all the details and technical aspects of the implementation, monitoring and control of the arrangements."
The Kremlin has also confirmed that Russia has agreed to the ceasefire.
Speaking to reporters about the agreement, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said he believed it would come into effect immediately.
He said: "If the Russians violate this, then I have a direct question for President Trump.
"If they violate, here is the evidence - we ask for sanctions, we ask for weapons, etc."