Russia, Ukraine agree to sea, energy truce; Washington seeks easing of sanctions

In this image taken from a video distributed by Russian Defense Ministry Press Service on Monday, a Russian Army 2S5 howitzer Giatsint-S fires towards Ukrainian positions in Ukraine. Picture: Russian Defense Ministry Press Service via AP

The United States reached separate deals on Tuesday with Ukraineand Russia to pause their attacks at sea and against energy targets, with Washington agreeing to push to lift some sanctions against Moscow.

While it was not clear when or how the Black Sea maritime security deals would start, the agreements are the first formal commitments by the two warring sides since President Donald Trump's inauguration. Trump is pushing for an end to the war in Ukraine and a rapid rapprochement with Moscow that has alarmed Kyiv and European countries.