Washington, DC [US], March 26- In alignment with high-level discussions between US President Donald J. Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, the United States hosted technical-level bilateral talks with a Ukrainian delegation in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, from March 23-25, as confirmed in a White House press release.
The talks resulted in key agreements aimed at enhancing safety in the Black Sea, particularly in ensuring secure navigation, preventing the use of force, and stopping the use of commercial vessels for military purposes. Both nations also reaffirmed their commitment to facilitating the exchange of prisoners of war, the release of civilian detainees, and the return of Ukrainian children forcibly transferred during the ongoing conflict.
One significant outcome was the joint agreement on measures to enforce the commitment made by Presidents Trump and Zelenskyy to ban strikes against energy infrastructure in both Russia and Ukraine. This initiative seeks to reduce the destruction of vital energy facilities and maintain stability in the region’s energy sector. Both nations welcomed the potential involvement of third countries to support the implementation of these agreements related to maritime and energy security.
The US and Ukraine also reiterated their shared objective of pursuing a sustainable and lasting peace. The United States reaffirmed President Trump’s stance that the killing on both sides of the Russia-Ukraine conflict must cease as a necessary step toward achieving a long-term peace settlement. The US remains dedicated to facilitating negotiations between all parties to further advance a peaceful resolution, in line with the agreements reached in Riyadh.
The United States also expressed gratitude to Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman for his leadership and hospitality in hosting these critical talks, acknowledging Saudi Arabia’s ongoing role in promoting diplomatic dialogue and conflict resolution.