Overview

• The United States announced that Ukraine and Russia have agreed to halt hostilities in the Black Sea following negotiations in Riyadh.
• The agreement aims to secure safe navigation and prevent the use of commercial ships for military purposes in the region.
• Discussions also addressed the potential resumption of the Black Sea grain agreement, critical for global food security, though no resolution has been reached.
• Russia has expressed interest in involving the United Nations in future peace negotiations, while the U.S. pledged support for humanitarian efforts, including prisoner exchanges and the return of displaced Ukrainian children.
• Despite the Black Sea agreement, fighting on the ground continues, with significant casualties reported from recent Russian strikes in Ukraine.