Ukraine, U.S. Agree to Cease Hostilities, Safeguard Energy Infrastructure

On March 25, Ukrainian Defense Minister Oleksii Reznikov announced that Ukraine and the United States had reached significant agreements during talks held in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The discussions centered on ensuring the safety of maritime navigation in the Black Sea and protecting critical energy infrastructure. Both nations agreed to cease hostilities and facilitate the exchange of prisoners of war. The talks also addressed the prevention of commercial vessels from being used for military purposes and the implementation of measures to safeguard energy facilities.

Reznikov highlighted that the bilateral technical consultations focused on energy and critical infrastructure security, Black Sea navigation safety, and the release and repatriation of Ukrainian prisoners and children. He emphasized Ukraine's unwavering commitment to achieving a just and lasting peace, ensuring national security, and continuing the successful consultations previously held in Jeddah. Reznikov stressed that Ukraine's position on these issues has been consistent, transparent, and honest, reflecting the Ukrainian people's unparalleled desire for peace.

The key outcomes of the Ukraine-U.S. technical consultations include: ensuring the safety of Black Sea navigation by agreeing to refrain from using force and preventing commercial vessels from being used for military purposes; implementing a comprehensive agreement to prohibit attacks on Ukraine's and Russia's energy infrastructure, thereby ensuring stability and security in the energy sector; welcoming the active participation of third countries in mediating to ensure the effective implementation of energy and maritime agreements; and continuing to work towards a sustainable and lasting peace, contributing to regional stability and development.

Reznikov underscored the importance of holding additional technical consultations promptly to finalize the details of the agreement's implementation, monitoring, and control. He also noted that Ukraine will fully exercise its right to self-defense if Russian naval vessels operate outside the eastern Black Sea region, as this would be seen as a violation of the agreement's spirit and a breach of the obligation to ensure the freedom of navigation in the Black Sea, posing a threat to Ukraine's national security.

On March 25, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy held a press conference to discuss the results of the talks between the U.S. delegation and Ukraine and Russia in Saudi Arabia on March 24. Zelenskyy stated that two separate statements would be issued following the talks: one between Ukraine and the United States, and another between the United States and Russia. The content of the two statements differs slightly, with the Ukraine-U.S. statement addressing the repatriation of children, military personnel, and civilians, while the U.S.-Russia statement focuses on port and agricultural product transportation issues.

Zelenskyy emphasized that the maritime situation should stabilize from the moment the U.S. releases a statement on the results of the Saudi talks, and attacks on energy facilities must cease. He noted that the decisions made in the relevant documents would come into effect once the U.S. formally issues a statement. Zelenskyy also reiterated Ukraine's commitment to achieving a just and lasting peace, highlighting the importance of holding additional technical consultations to finalize the details of the agreement's implementation, monitoring, and control.