U.S. Announces Russia-Ukraine Black Sea Ceasefire

Russia and Ukraine agreed to a ceasefire in the Black Sea, the White House announced on Tuesday.

In two separate statements, one issued for Russia and another for Ukraine, the White House said discussions headed by United States President Donald Trump have led Russia and Ukraine to agree to “eliminate the use of force” in the Black Sea and ban strikes on energy infrastructure.

Stipulations: Both statements are almost identical, but each has a nation-specific stipulation. For Russia, the White House said:

The United States will 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.

Ukraine’s statement reads:

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.

Ukraine: Following the announcement, Ukraine’s Defense Ministry confirmed that an agreement had been reached.

The Ukrainian side emphasizes that all movement by Russia of its military vessels outside of the eastern part of the Black Sea will constitute violation of the spirit of this agreement. … In this case, Ukraine will have full right to exercise right to self-defense.
—Rustem Umerov, Ukraine’s defense minister

Russia: Russia, however, is demanding that before the ceasefire begins, sanctions must be lifted off Russian banks, as well as food and fertilizer cargo ships, and that it be permitted back into the swift international payment system.

President Trump said his administration is looking into and considering these conditions. If granted, this would be the first major repeal of Russian sanctions since it invaded Ukraine in 2022.

Compromise: Despite the announcement of a ceasefire, Russia’s demands are still holding back the deal. This is the result of trying to negotiate with autocratic leaders like Russian President Vladimir Putin.

In his latest Trumpet feature, Trumpet editor in chief Gerald Flurry explained that Putin is not looking for peace. If President Trump continues to push forward a Russia-Ukraine ceasefire, he will be forced to make concessions to Putin.

Learn more: Read “Does Donald Trump Know the Way to Peace?”