UPDATE - Russia confirms deal with US to ensure shipping safety in Black Sea following Saudi talks

UPDATES WITH FURTHER INFORMATION FROM INITIAL & LATER KREMLIN STATEMENT

By Burc Eruygur

ISTANBUL (AA) - The Kremlin confirmed a deal Tuesday with the US to ensure the safety of shipping in the Black Sea, one day after delegations from Moscow and Washington held consultations in Saudi Arabia.

The White House said in a statement earlier that Russia and the US agreed to “ensure safe navigation, eliminate the use of force, and prevent the use of commercial vessels for military purposes in the Black Sea” following talks in Riyadh.

It said the US would help restore Russia’s access to world markets for agriculture and fertilizer exports, and both countries also agreed to develop measures to ban strikes on energy facilities in Russia and Ukraine.

A statement by the Kremlin confirmed the agreements in Riyadh, including ensuring the implementation of the Black Sea Grain Initiative, as well as Washington’s help in restoring Moscow’s exports of agricultural products and fertilizers.

It noted that the aforementioned paragraphs of the agreement will take effect as soon as certain restrictions and sanctions on Russia are lifted, including those imposed on Rosselkhozbank and other financial organizations.

The statement further said that Russia and the US agreed to take measures to implement the 30-day ban on strikes against energy facilities in both countries, "starting from March 18, 2025, with the possibility of extending and withdrawing from the agreement in the event of non-compliance by one of the parties."

“Russia and the United States will continue to work to achieve a lasting and durable peace,” it added.

The Kremlin later published a list of Russian and Ukrainian facilities that fall under the temporary moratorium on attacks on energy facilities, which it said includes oil refineries, oil and gas pipelines and storage facilities, electricity generation and transmission infrastructure, nuclear power plants, and hydroelectric dams.

"The temporary moratorium is valid for 30 days, starting from March 18, 2025, and may be extended by mutual agreement," it said, adding that one of the parties can consider itself free from its obligations should the other violate the moratorium.