Washington/Moscow/Kyiv, Mar 25 (V7N) – The United States has reached separate agreements with both Ukraine and Russia to ensure safe navigation in the Black Sea and to enforce a ban on attacks targeting each other's energy infrastructure. These agreements mark the most significant step toward a potential ceasefire, which the U.S. sees as a key step in advancing peace talks to end the ongoing war between Russia and Ukraine.

Both Ukraine and Russia have agreed to rely on the U.S. to enforce the terms of the agreements. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy emphasized that any violation by Russia would lead to calls for sanctions and weapons, and he asked for President Trump’s direct involvement if the agreement is breached. Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov also insisted that clear guarantees were needed, pointing out that the only way to ensure Kyiv’s compliance would be through orders from Washington to President Zelenskyy.

The agreements were reached during talks in Saudi Arabia, following a series of discussions initiated by President Donald Trump. Trump has been vocal about his goal to end the war quickly and has shifted the U.S.'s position from firm support of Ukraine to a more balanced approach that includes a more sympathetic stance toward Moscow.

In exchange for Russia’s agreement, Washington promised to help restore Russian access to global markets for its agricultural and fertilizer exports, which could involve lifting some sanctions on the country.

Ukrainian Defense Minister Rustem Umerov warned that Ukraine would consider any movement of Russian military vessels outside the eastern Black Sea a violation of the agreement and a threat to Ukrainian security, which would justify defensive action.

The agreements also include a pause on attacks targeting energy infrastructure. Russia has repeatedly targeted Ukraine’s energy grid throughout the war, while Ukraine has launched strikes on Russian oil and gas targets to cripple Russia’s war effort. However, these attacks have been a relatively smaller part of the conflict since Russia pulled back its naval forces from the eastern Black Sea in 2023, allowing Ukraine to resume its exports at pre-war levels despite the collapse of a previous U.N.-brokered shipping agreement.

While the U.S. is pushing for a swift end to the conflict, there are concerns that President Trump might reach a deal with Moscow that could undermine Ukraine's security, including potential compromises such as abandoning NATO ambitions or giving up territories claimed by Russia. Ukraine has rejected such conditions, viewing them as tantamount to surrender.

This development follows a series of phone calls between President Trump and both Ukrainian President Zelenskyy and Russian President Vladimir Putin, though Putin rejected Trump’s earlier proposal for a full 30-day ceasefire. As the situation continues to evolve, all eyes are on how these agreements play out and whether they will lead to lasting peace.

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