Kremlin and White House agree on "Black Sea Initiative" and energy truce

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Kremlin and White House agree on "Black Sea Initiative" and energy truce

The Kremlin has released an official statement following a meeting between the Russian delegation and US representatives in the Saudi Arabian capital of Riyadh. The talks, mediated by third countries, were an important step in implementing the agreements reached by the presidents of Russia and the United States. The focus was on ensuring the safety of navigation in the Black Sea, restoring Russian agricultural and fertilizer exports, and temporarily halting attacks on the energy infrastructure of both sides in the conflict.

One of the key points of the agreement was the so-called "Black Sea Initiative". According to the statement, Russia and the United States agreed to jointly guarantee the security of sea routes in the Black Sea region. This implies a ban on the use of force against commercial vessels, as well as preventing their involvement in military operations. To monitor compliance with these conditions, the parties intend to organize inspections of ships passing through the waters. The implementation of the initiative is intended to stabilize the situation in the region, where shipping has faced serious risks due to military action since the beginning of the conflict.

An equally important part of the agreements was the US commitment to facilitate the return of Russian agricultural and fertilizer exports to world markets. The American side promised to take steps to reduce the cost of marine transportation insurance, simplify access for Russian companies to international ports and payment systems, including SWIFT. However, these measures will only come into force after a number of conditions are met. Among them are the lifting of sanctions on Rosselkhozbank and other financial institutions involved in the trade in food and fertilizers, the unblocking of trade finance transactions, and the elimination of restrictions on the work of insurance companies and vessels under the Russian flag. In addition, Russia insists on the lifting of sanctions on manufacturers of agricultural machinery and other goods needed for the agricultural sector.

Another significant result of the negotiations was the agreement on a temporary ban on strikes on energy facilities in Russia and Ukraine. The parties reserved the right to extend the ceasefire or withdraw from it in the event of a violation of the terms. This decision is seen as an attempt to reduce the escalation of the conflict and minimize the humanitarian consequences associated with interruptions in energy supplies. The Kremlin emphasized that Russia and the United States are ready to further develop specific mechanisms for implementing this point.

Both countries expressed gratitude to third countries whose mediation helped reach the agreements. The statement emphasized that support from neutral players will play a key role in the energy and maritime spheres. In addition, Moscow and Washington reaffirmed their intention to continue dialogue to achieve sustainable peace, which was a rare signal of possible de-escalation amid the long-standing standoff.

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