Ukraine and Russia Agree to Ceasefire for Safe Navigation in the Black Sea – U.S. Administration

Ukraine and Russia Agree to Ceasefire for Safe Navigation in the Black Sea – U.S. Administration

Washington, March 25: The United States announced on Tuesday that it has reached separate agreements with Ukraine and Russia to ensure safe navigation in the Black Sea and to prevent both nations from targeting each other’s strategic assets.

If implemented, these agreements would mark a significant step toward peace talks, which the U.S. views as a move toward ending the three-year-long war with Russia. However, Russia has stated that it cannot trust Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and would only sign the Black Sea agreement if Washington directly orders him to honor it.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, in a televised statement, said, "We need clear guarantees. Given our unfortunate past experiences with Kyiv, guarantees can only come as a direct order from Washington, instructing Zelensky and his team to follow through on specific actions."

It remains unclear whether Moscow’s demands will hinder the agreement. Zelensky has previously said that Russian President Vladimir Putin, who initiated the invasion of Ukraine, cannot be trusted for any peace deal.

Ukrainian Defense Minister Rustem Umerov stated that Kyiv has agreed to a ceasefire on strategic infrastructure and sea routes. However, he emphasized that any movement by the Russian Navy in the eastern Black Sea would be considered a violation and a direct threat. In such a scenario, Ukraine reserves the full right to self-defense, he added.

The United States had earlier proposed a comprehensive 30-day ceasefire to accelerate peace talks, which Ukraine partially accepted on March 11. However, Putin later presented a broader peace proposal with an extensive list of conditions and demands.

President Donald Trump is pressuring both sides to end the war swiftly, aligning with his election campaign promise. At the same time, he is seeking to restore relations with Moscow, which could lead to lucrative business opportunities and cooperation in sectors such as minerals, sports, and space exploration.

Ukraine and its European allies are concerned that Trump might strike a sudden deal with Putin that could compromise their security. Such a deal could require Ukraine to withdraw from NATO and surrender the four regions claimed by Russia, which Kyiv views as equivalent to capitulation.