The United States and Ukraine have reached an agreement aimed at enhancing security in the Black Sea and facilitating the exchange of prisoners, according to a White House statement issued on Tuesday. The announcement follows bilateral talks held between March 23 and 25 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

The discussions, organized by the US government, were built on earlier conversations between US President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. Both leaders reiterated their commitment to protecting maritime navigation in the region, which has been a point of strategic concern since the onset of the conflict.

In addition to the Black Sea safety measures, the agreement includes provisions to initiate a prisoner exchange. This will involve the release of civilians and detainees held on both sides, as well as the return of Ukrainian children who were transferred out of the country during the war.

Ukrainian Minister of Defense Rusten Umerov emphasized the need for follow-up discussions. In a statement posted on X (formerly Twitter), he called for “additional technical consultations as soon as possible to agree on all the details and technical aspects of the implementation, monitoring and control of the arrangements.”

The deal marks a significant diplomatic development, demonstrating a renewed commitment from both nations to address humanitarian issues and maritime security through cooperative frameworks. It also reflects ongoing US involvement in facilitating dialogue and resolution efforts between Ukraine and its partners.

While the agreement lays the groundwork for progress, the implementation phase is expected to involve complex coordination, especially in terms of logistics, verification, and international oversight. Both sides appear poised to continue technical negotiations to ensure the deal's effectiveness and durability.