WASHINGTON/MOSCOW/KYIV — The United States secured separate agreements on Tuesday (March 25) with Russia and Ukraine to pause hostilities at sea and on energy infrastructure, while also pledging to advocate for easing some sanctions on Moscow. Although the specifics of the Black Sea maritime security deal remain unclear, the agreements mark the first formal commitments between the warring nations since President Donald Trump took office. Trump has been actively pushing for an end to the Ukraine conflict and a swift reconciliation with Moscow, a stance that has raised concerns in Kyiv and across Europe.

The U.S. deal with Russia extends beyond the one with Ukraine, as Washington committed to seeking the removal of certain international sanctions on Russian agricultural and fertilizer exports—long-standing demands from Moscow. Following the U.S. announcement, the Kremlin stated that the Black Sea agreement would not take effect unless Russia regained access to international financial systems for some of its banks. However, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy argued that the truce did not hinge on sanctions relief and should take effect immediately, accusing Moscow of attempting to "manipulate" the terms.

"They are already twisting the agreements and deceiving both our intermediaries and the global community," Zelenskiy said in his nightly address. Both Kyiv and Moscow indicated that they would rely on Washington to enforce the deals, though each side expressed skepticism about the other's commitment. "We require clear guarantees," said Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov. "Given our past experiences with agreements solely involving Kyiv, the only reliable guarantees would come from direct orders by Washington to Zelenskiy and his administration."

Zelenskiy stated that any Russian violations would prompt him to request Trump to impose additional sanctions on Moscow and increase military aid to Ukraine. "We do not trust Russia, but we will remain constructive," he added. Despite the agreements, reports surfaced of drone attacks by both sides in the hours following the announcement, though no immediate damage was confirmed on Black Sea or energy targets. Meanwhile, in an interview with Newsmax, Trump acknowledged that Russia might be stalling efforts to end the war. "I think Russia wants to see it end, but they could be dragging their feet. I've done that before," he remarked.

Path to a Wider Ceasefire: The agreements emerged from parallel negotiations in Saudi Arabia, following Trump's separate calls with Putin and Zelenskiy last week. If successfully implemented, they could mark a significant step toward Trump's broader goal of securing a more comprehensive ceasefire in the ongoing war. Trump had proposed a 30-day full ceasefire, which Ukraine supported, but Putin rejected.

"We're making great progress," Trump told reporters, while noting the "tremendous animosity" in discussions. "There is a lot of hatred, as you can see, but it also provides an opportunity for mediation and negotiation to stop the conflict. I believe it will work," he added. Recent U.S. rhetoric toward Russia has softened, with Trump's envoy, Steve Witkoff, stating that he did not view Putin as a "bad guy," a remark that unsettled European officials wary of Moscow's intentions.

Lavrov dismissed Witkoff’s optimism, claiming it overlooked the influence of European leaders who, in his view, sought to pressure Zelenskiy into maintaining a hardline stance. "He overestimates Europe's elites, who aim to burden Zelenskiy to prevent any concessions," Lavrov said. Ukraine and its European allies fear that Trump may negotiate a deal favoring Russia, potentially undermining their security by pressuring Kyiv to abandon NATO aspirations and cede contested territories to Moscow.

Temporary Halt on Energy Strikes: The Kremlin confirmed that it had agreed with the U.S. to suspend attacks on energy targets in both Russia and Ukraine for 30 days, starting from March 18—when Putin first discussed the matter with Trump. Moscow also signaled openness to extending the arrangement. Ukraine had previously insisted that any such agreement required formalized terms. Both nations have targeted each other's energy infrastructure throughout the war—Russia has used missiles and drones to damage Ukraine’s power grid, while Kyiv has struck Russian oil and gas facilities. These attacks have played a crucial role in weakening each other's war capabilities.

While the temporary halt in energy strikes is a new initiative, the Black Sea security deal revisits a longstanding issue. Early in the war, Russia effectively blockaded Ukraine’s ports, exacerbating a global food crisis due to Ukraine’s role as a major grain exporter. Although maritime conflicts have become less frequent, Russia’s continued aerial assaults have disrupted Ukrainian exports. Zelenskiy stated that the agreement would prohibit such strikes.

Ukrainian Defense Minister Rustem Umerov warned that any movement of Russian military vessels outside the eastern Black Sea would be considered a violation, granting Ukraine the right to respond. Moscow, however, maintained that the deal required additional concessions, including restoring Russian agricultural export bank links to the SWIFT international payment system. Such measures would likely require agreement from European nations.

Disclaimer: This image is taken from Reuters.