Russia and Ukraine agree to 'Black Sea' Ceasefire: White House

Russia and Ukraine agreed on a tentative deal to ensure safe passage via the Black Sea, a critical breakthrough in the conflict. US officials separately sat down with Ukrainian and Russian officials in Riyadh for three days to hammer out the agreement, sources said.

Renewing a 2022 Accord

The deal seems to be reversing a 2022 deal facilitated by the United Nations and Turkey guaranteeing secure passage through Ukraine's ports on the Black Sea. Russia had, however, paused the deal the next year over concerns about the security of its Black Sea exports. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said Moscow is prepared to go back to the deal but warned Russian interests would have to be protected.

A delicate peace

The White House has released individual joint statements on the Ukraine-Russia and South Korea talks. All of them have committed to safe navigation, a cessation of the use of force, and non-military utilization of commercial ships in the Black Sea. The accord is delicate, though, and nobody can say whether it will survive.

A step toward peace?

The deal is part of an attempt to seal a partial ceasefire in Ukraine's 3-year conflict. Although there is a 30-day ceasefire in theory, there is still regular shelling by drones and missiles from both sides. The US has offered help in opening Russia's access to the world market for food and fertilizers, to lower sea insurance, and make it easier to reach ports and payment systems to enable such trade.