US, Russia poised to announce joint statement on Black Sea ceasefire talks

The US and Russia are set to release a joint statement on March 25 morning after engaging in discussions in Saudi Arabia aimed at securing a maritime ceasefire deal for the Black Sea.

The statement is scheduled for release at 4 a.m. in Washington, D.C., and 11 a.m. in Moscow, Caliber.Az reports via foreign media.

While the specifics of the statement remain unclear, reports from the US technical team in Riyadh to the Trump administration indicate optimism regarding the talks. Ukrainian officials have also been briefed on the developments, one source revealed.

The discussions focus on reviving a previous maritime deal, brokered by the UN and Türkiye, which allowed for the safe passage of grain exports between Russia and Ukraine. However, Russia exited the agreement in 2023. The new talks seek to establish a ceasefire in the Black Sea to ensure the continued movement of essential goods such as grain and fuel.

The US delegation at the talks includes Michael Anton from the State Department and Andrew Peek from the White House National Security Council. National Security Advisor Mike Waltz spoke about the broader scope of the negotiations, noting the progress made thus far.

In a March 23 interview on Face The Nation with Margaret Brennan, Waltz explained that a ceasefire on aerial infrastructure had been implemented immediately following a call between US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin. He emphasized that the next priority was to establish a maritime ceasefire to allow the free flow of goods, followed by discussions on the line of control—referring to the front lines of the conflict.

"And then we'll talk the line of control, which is the actual front lines, and that gets into the details of verification mechanisms, peacekeeping, freezing the lines where they are. And then, of course, the broader and permanent peace," Waltz said.

Although separate negotiations are ongoing between US officials and both Ukrainian and Russian representatives, the two countries continue to engage in military confrontations, with attacks still being launched on both sides.

By Vafa Guliyeva