Russia and Ukraine have agreed to a ceasefire in the Black Sea.
It comes after U.S. officials hosted separate talks with the two countries in Saudi Arabia this week.
However, shortly after the announcement, Russia said no ceasefire would go ahead until a series of sanctions against it were lifted.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said he was not aware of these conditions when he agreed to the deal.
The U.S. has pledged to “help restore Russia’s access to the world market.”
Background
The Black Sea is bordered by Russia to the north-east and Ukraine to the north-west.
Both nations use the body of water to transport grain, one of their key exports.
Since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022, the two countries have
skirmished in the Black Sea. Ukraine has used drones and missiles launched from the land to take down Russian ships.
In 2023, a short lived ceasefire deal, which allowed agricultural products access to the Black Sea, collapsed.
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Ceasefire
Details of the ceasefire remain unclear, including when it would begin and how long it would last.
In its announcement, Russia said no ceasefire would go ahead until sanctions were lifted on the Russian banking sector, and food and fertiliser trade.
Zelenskyy said he was not made aware of these conditions, and that he had “no faith” in Russia.
Both Ukraine and Russia stressed the U.S. would need to enforce the ceasefire deal and punish non-compliance.
Last week, a limited ceasefire on energy infrastructure was also agreed.
Ukraine and Russia have accused each other of targeting such structures since then.
The Black Sea announcement also included a recommitment to the energy infrastructure ceasefire.
U.S. President Donald Trump said the deal is a sign “of progress” but added there was “tremendous animosity” between the two sides.
