The announcement follows three days of bilateral talks in the Saudi capital, Riyadh, hosted by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. The discussions, which began on March 23, were a follow-up to earlier presidential-level talks between President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin.
The agreement states that the United States will work to lower maritime insurance costs and improve Russia’s access to ports and payment systems, facilitating the export of food and fertilizer, key sectors of Russia’s economy that have faced mounting obstacles since the onset of the conflict in Ukraine in 2022.
“The United States will help restore Russia’s access to the world market for agricultural and fertilizer exports,” the White House stated. The March 25 statement also referenced U.S. efforts to reduce shipping costs and payment barriers for these goods.
The talks also produced security-related commitments for the Black Sea and a renewed pledge to avoid strikes on energy infrastructure in both Russia and Ukraine.
The White House said that the countries have agreed to “ensure safe navigation, eliminate the use of force, and prevent the use of commercial vessels for military purposes in the Black Sea.”
However, the Kremlin said in a statement that these provisions—particularly those involving agricultural exports—will not take effect unless specific sanctions are lifted.
Among Russia’s stated conditions are reconnecting the Russian Agricultural Bank and other financial entities to the SWIFT global banking system, reopening correspondent accounts, and lifting restrictions on trade finance and port services involving Russian-flagged vessels.
Moscow is also seeking the removal of sanctions on Russian ships and companies involved in the food and fertilizer trade, as well as the resumption of agricultural equipment exports to Russia.
Both nations welcomed the involvement of other countries to assist in the implementation of the maritime and energy accords, the White House stated.
The White House’s special envoy, Steve Witkoff, who has taken a lead role in the Middle East diplomatic track, has said that U.S. negotiators were “expecting real progress,” particularly on maritime safety in the Black Sea.
Russia has long said that Western restrictions on its food and fertilizer exports have had an outsized effect on developing nations, despite exemptions for such goods on paper.
The White House reiterated that the talks in Riyadh were “in line with presidential-level discussions between President Trump and President Putin.”
Talks on other aspects of the Russia–Ukraine conflict, including cease-fire lines and verification mechanisms, are ongoing.
The White House expressed gratitude to Saudi Arabia for facilitating the discussions.
