White House reveals what was agreed upon with Ukraine and Russia at Riyadh talks
The US presidential administration has published the results of technical-level negotiations with the Ukrainian and Russian delegations held on March 23-25 in Saudi Arabia, according to the White House statements following the results of bilateral negotiations with Ukraine and Russia.
Black Sea
Washington said that all parties agreed to ensure safe navigation, exclude the use of force, and prevent the use of commercial vessels for military purposes in the Black Sea.
Ukrainian Defense Minister Rustem Umerov stressed Russia's movement of its military vessels beyond the eastern part of the Black Sea will be considered a violation of this agreement, a violation of obligations to ensure freedom of navigation in the Black Sea and a threat to Ukraine's national security. In such a case, Ukraine will have the full right to exercise the right to self-defense.
Attacks on the energy sector
All parties agreed to develop measures to implement the agreement on the prohibition of attacks on energy facilities of Russia and Ukraine.
Washington said it had "reiterated President Donald J. Trump’s imperative that the killing on both sides of the Russia-Ukraine conflict must stop."
Return of Ukrainians
The United States reaffirmed its support in helping to implement the exchange of prisoners of war, the release of civilian detainees, and the return of forcibly removed Ukrainian children.
Easing sanctions against Russia
The United States will help restore Russia's access to the global market for agricultural exports and fertilizers, reduce the cost of marine insurance, and expand access to ports and payment systems for such operations.
The message states that the United States, Ukraine, and Russia welcome proposals from third countries to support the implementation of energy and maritime agreements.
"This meeting is a logical continuation of the successful consultations with the US in Jeddah. No one seeks a just peace more than Ukrainians, our position remains honest, transparent and consistent," Umerov said.
He added that for the effective implementation of the agreements, 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 agreements.
What is known about the negotiations?
The negotiations are taking place using the “shuttle diplomacy” method — Ukraine and Russia are not in contact directly, but through the United States as an intermediary. On March 23, the Ukrainian “technical” group held talks with the US delegation, on March 24, negotiations between the Americans and the Russian delegation continued, and on the 25th, US consultations with Ukraine resumed.
The sides are trying to agree on a partial 30-day ceasefire. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy called for "pressure" on Russian leader Vladimir Putin to give a real order to stop the strikes, because after the ceasefire proposal, the aggressor state continue to strike at Ukraine.
The negotiating team from Ukraine included the head of the Presidential Office Andriy Yermak, Minister of Foreign Affairs Andrii Sybiha, Minister of Defense Rustem Umerov, as well as the deputy head of the President’s Office Pavlo Palisa. However, energy and military experts also joined the meeting on March 23.
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