Breaking News | Russia accepts Black Sea ceasefire conditions negotiated with Ukraine and the United States.

On March 25, 2025, Ukraine and the United States held bilateral technical consultations in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The agenda focused on several issues: the security of energy and critical infrastructure, safe navigation in the Black Sea, and the release and return of Ukrainian prisoners and children. The meeting was part of a series of consultations initiated by Ukraine and is described by Ukrainian officials as a continuation of earlier discussions held with the United States in Jeddah. According to Ukrainian Defense Minister Rustem Umerov, the consultations are being conducted in line with the President of Ukraine’s instructions to work toward a just peace and to ensure the country’s security. Umerov stated that Ukraine’s position in these discussions remains honest, transparent, and consistent.
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For Ukraine, access to the Black Sea is essential for maintaining commercial maritime routes, especially for grain exports, and for national defense, as control of this region influences broader security dynamics. (Picture source: Wikimedia)

In March 2025, the United States and Ukraine engaged in bilateral technical consultations in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, aiming to advance peace efforts in the ongoing conflict with Russia. During these discussions, Ukraine agreed to a U.S.-proposed 30-day ceasefire, contingent upon Russia's approval. This agreement led to the resumption of U.S. military aid and intelligence sharing with Ukraine. Ukrainian officials emphasized that the success of this initiative depended on Russia's commitment to halting hostilities.

Subsequently, on March 18, following a phone conversation between U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin, Russia consented to a one-month cessation of attacks on Ukrainian energy infrastructure and agreed to initiate negotiations for a broader ceasefire. These developments culminated in further negotiations involving U.S., Russian, and Ukrainian officials in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, focusing on establishing a Black Sea maritime ceasefire and addressing critical infrastructure security. The Jeddah consultations marked a pivotal moment in the peace process, setting the stage for subsequent dialogues aimed at achieving a comprehensive and lasting resolution to the conflict.

The consultations led to a series of agreed outcomes. First, all parties committed to ensuring safe navigation in the Black Sea, eliminating the use of force, and preventing the use of commercial vessels for military purposes. The Ukrainian delegation underlined that any movement of Russian military vessels outside the eastern part of the Black Sea would be interpreted as a violation of the agreement’s intent and would constitute a threat to Ukraine’s national security. In such circumstances, Ukraine stated it would consider itself entitled to exercise its right to self-defense. Second, the parties agreed to begin developing measures to implement the presidents’ prior agreement to prohibit strikes on energy facilities in both Ukraine and Russia.

Third, all parties welcomed the involvement of third countries to assist with the implementation of the energy and maritime arrangements. Fourth, the participants stated their intention to continue efforts toward achieving a lasting and durable peace. Fifth, the United States reiterated its support for Ukraine in the pursuit of exchanges of prisoners of war, the release of civilian detainees, and the return of Ukrainian children who were forcibly transferred. To implement these arrangements effectively, the parties agreed that additional technical consultations are necessary to finalize the operational details, monitoring mechanisms, and enforcement measures.

The Black Sea remains a strategically significant region for both Ukraine and Russia. For Russia, the Black Sea Fleet plays a central role in maritime control, missile launch capabilities, and support for military operations. Its base in Crimea, which Russia annexed in 2014, has served as a key hub for naval operations. For Ukraine, access to the Black Sea is essential for maintaining commercial maritime routes, especially for grain exports, and for national defense, as control of this region influences broader security dynamics.

Since the start of the conflict in February 2022, Ukrainian forces have targeted and damaged a substantial portion of the Russian Black Sea Fleet. Ukrainian attacks have reportedly destroyed or damaged at least 24 Russian vessels. This includes the sinking of the cruiser Moskva, the fleet’s flagship, in April 2022. The loss of the Moskva was the largest for the Russian Navy since World War II. Additional Ukrainian strikes have affected other naval assets. In March 2022, the Ropucha-class landing ships Saratov, Caesar Kunikov, and Novocherkassk were damaged during an attack in the port of Berdiansk. On February 14, 2024, Caesar Kunikov was reportedly sunk by Ukrainian uncrewed surface vessels. On September 13, 2023, a Ukrainian missile strike on the Sevastopol Naval Base damaged the Minsk, another Ropucha-class landing ship, as well as the Rostov-on-Don, a Kilo-class submarine.

As a result of these repeated strikes, Russia has made adjustments to its naval deployment. Many of its ships have been relocated from the Sevastopol base in Crimea to the port of Novorossiysk in the eastern Black Sea. The British Ministry of Defence assessed by March 2024 that the Black Sea Fleet had become “functionally inactive” due to these ongoing attacks. The relocation and change in posture indicate a strategic shift by Russia in response to Ukraine’s maritime operations. The March 25 agreement marks a step toward reducing risks in the Black Sea. However, its durability will depend on how the commitments are implemented and whether the involved parties maintain adherence to the agreed conditions. Further technical consultations are planned to clarify enforcement and monitoring measures related to the agreements reached in Riyadh.