Ukraine and Russia have agreed to a ceasefire in the Black Sea following intense diplomatic talks in Saudi Arabia, a development confirmed on March 25, 2025, as reported by RTÉ News. The agreement, brokered through separate negotiations with US officials, marks a rare moment of de-escalation amid the ongoing war, even as a deadly missile attack rocked Ukraine’s Sumy region overnight.
The White House announced that both nations committed to “ensure safe navigation, eliminate the use of force, and prevent the use of commercial vessels for military purposes in the Black Sea,” according to a statement cited by RTÉ News. This maritime truce aims to revive secure shipping routes, echoing the now-defunct 2022 Black Sea Grain Initiative, which Russia exited in 2023. Ukrainian Defence Minister Rustem Umerov affirmed Kyiv’s support, stating, “Kyiv supports two ceasefire agreements with Russia announced by the United States and would welcome third countries monitoring the accords,” reports RTE.
The deal follows discussions in Riyadh, where US and Russian negotiators met on March 24. A Russian delegate told TASS, “Talks with the United States were challenging but useful, and the United Nations and other countries will be involved in additional discussions,” as referenced by RTÉ News from the TASS news agency. However, the agreement’s fragility was underscored by a simultaneous Russian missile strike in Sumy, injuring 88 people, including 11 children, according to Ukraine’s State Emergency Service,
The US has pledged to support Russia’s agricultural exports and facilitate prisoner exchanges, though fighting persists on land, casting doubt on broader peace prospects.
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