Trump admin strikes deal with Russia, Ukraine to secure Black Sea shipping

The Trump administration on Tuesday released statements on the results of its talks with Ukrainian and Russian officials in Saudi Arabia, announcing that both parties had agreed to cooperate in ensuring safe commercial shipping in the Black Sea and to demilitarize the critical shipping routes.

The development follows agreement on a limited ceasefire earlier this month in which both parties would refrain from striking critical energy infrastructure and work toward an agreement to pacify the Black Sea. A full peace appears a long way off, however, as neither agreement affects the movement of ground troops or air support and the Russians have begun to encroach in Ukraine's Sumy region.

The administration released separate, but near identical statements on the outcomes of separate talks with the envoys of each nation. Both asserted that the respective parties were committed to a "durable and lasting peace."

"The United States and Ukraine [and Russia] have agreed to ensure safe navigation, eliminate the use of force, and prevent the use of commercial vessels for military purposes in the Black Sea," the statements read. They further indicated that both nations had agreed to implement measures to enforce the energy ceasefire that both parties previously agreed to.

The U.S. also promised to "help restore Russia’s access to the world market for agricultural and fertilizer exports, lower maritime insurance costs, and enhance access to ports and payment systems for such transactions."