Russia, Ukraine Agree on Safe Passage in Black Sea Talks

The U.S., Russia, and Ukraine have reached an agreement to ensure safe navigation in the Black Sea, following three days of discussions in Riyadh. This deal involves preventing military actions against commercial vessels and aims to revive a previous agreement that facilitated Ukrainian grain exports. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov emphasized that any renewed agreement must protect Russian trade interests, particularly concerning agricultural exports. Although both sides have expressed support for the safe passage initiative, the specifics remain unclear, with ongoing discussions about the implementation details. The negotiations have also included a proposal to cease strikes on each country's energy infrastructure. However, the situation remains fraught, as differing interpretations of ceasefire terms persist, and no concrete plans have been announced yet.