The United States said today that it had reached an agreement with Ukraine and Russia to ensure safe navigation in the Black Sea and to put a ban on attacks on energy infrastructure in both countries into effect, world agencies reported, citing two separate statements from the White House, BTA reports.
Russia and Ukraine have agreed to a cessation of hostilities in the Black Sea, the White House stressed. Each side has agreed to ensure the security of shipping, to cease the use of force and to prevent the use of merchant ships for military purposes in the Black Sea, Agence France-Presse reported.
Washington will help restore Russia's access to global markets for agricultural exports and fertilizers and will continue to facilitate talks between the two sides to achieve a final and lasting peace.
"The United States will help restore Russia's access to global markets for agricultural exports and fertilizers... and to improve access to ports and payment systems for these transactions," the White House said.
Washington also pledged to support the exchange of prisoners of war, the release of civilians and the return of Ukrainian children deported to Russia, Agence France-Presse reported.
During the talks, the United States reiterated that President Donald Trump wants an urgent end to of killings on both sides of the conflict.
Washington will continue to organize negotiations between the two sides to achieve a peaceful outcome, an identical passage in both statements published by the White House says. The United States is mediating in the talks between Russia and Ukraine.
The American administration also expressed gratitude to Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, in whose country consultations between delegations of Russia and the United States and Russia and Ukraine have recently been held.
Ukrainian Defense Minister Rustem Umerov said that Kiev supports the two ceasefire agreements with Russia, which were announced by the White House, world agencies reported.
Umerov said that his country welcomes the idea of a third party monitoring the implementation of the agreements concerning the ceasefire in the Black Sea and on energy infrastructure.
In a post in „Ek“ Umerov also said that Ukraine would view any movement of Russian vessels beyond the eastern Black Sea as a violation of the spirit of the agreements and that in such an event it would have the right to self-defense.
Kyiv requested consultations to reach agreement on the details of the agreements announced by Washington, Agence France-Presse reported.