US-Ukraine Talks in Riyadh: Key Points on Black Sea Security and Ban on Energy Attacks

Following negotiations in Riyadh, the United States and Ukraine have agreed to develop a mechanism prohibiting strikes on both Ukrainian and Russian energy infrastructure, according to the White House official statement on March 25.

The agreement is aimed at protecting critical civilian infrastructure and reducing the risk of escalation as part of broader de-escalation efforts.

Here are the key points from the White House statement:

• The United States and Ukraine 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 United States and Ukraine agreed that the United States remains committed to helping achieve the exchange of prisoners of war, the release of civilian detainees, and the return of forcibly transferred Ukrainian children.

• The United States and Ukraine agreed to develop measures for implementing President Trump’s and President Zelenskyy’s agreement to ban strikes against energy facilities of Russia and Ukraine.

• The United States and Ukraine welcome the good offices of third countries with a view toward supporting the implementation of the energy and maritime agreements.

• The United States and Ukraine will continue working toward achieving a durable and lasting peace.

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In addition, Ukraine’s Defense Minister confirmed that all parties reached consensus on several key points:

• A full ban on attacks targeting energy infrastructure in both Ukraine and Russia.

• A commitment to ensure safe navigation in the Black Sea, to halt the use of force, and to prevent the use of commercial vessels for military purposes.

• A shared understanding that the relocation of Russian military vessels beyond the eastern Black Sea would violate the spirit of the agreement and be seen as a threat to Ukraine’s national security. In such a case, Ukraine reserves the right to self-defense.

• A mutual welcome of third-party involvement to support the implementation of both energy and maritime agreements.

• Continued efforts by all parties to work toward a sustainable and lasting peace.

• A reaffirmation of US support for facilitating the exchange of prisoners of war, release of civilian detainees, and return of Ukrainian children forcibly taken to Russia.

The White House also stated that the US is prepared to help restore Russia’s access to international markets for exporting agricultural products and fertilizers, as part of broader confidence-building measures, according to Russian state media RIA Novosti.

Earlier, high-level US and Russian delegations held closed-door talks at the Ritz-Carlton in Riyadh, focusing on the potential revival of the Black Sea Initiative and broader aspects of ending the war, according to Russian officials.