UN / UKRAINE BLACK SEA AGREEMENT

“Reaching an agreement on freedom of navigation in the Black Sea to ensure the protection of civilian vessels and port infrastructure, will be a crucial contribution to global food security and supply chains,” a UN spokesperson said. UNIFEED

• Video Length: 00:01:44
• Production Date: 26 March 2025
• Asset Language: English
• Personal Subject: STEPHANE DUJARRIC
• Subject Topical: MARITIME TRANSPORT
• Geographic Subject: UKRAINE; RUSSIAN FEDERATION
• MAMS Id: 3355305
• Parent Id: 3355305
• Alternate Title: unifeed250326d

Description

STORY: UN / UKRAINE BLACK SEA AGREEMENT
TRT: 01:44
SOURCE: UNIFEED
RESTRICTIONS: NONE
LANGUAGES: ENGLISH / NATS

DATELINE: 26 MARCH 2025, NEW YORK CITY / FILE

Shotlist

FILE – NEW YORK CITY

1. Wide shot, United Nations headquarters

26 MARCH 2025, NEW YORK CITY

2. Wide shot, press briefing room
3. SOUNDBITE (English) Stéphane Dujarric, Spokesperson for the Secretary-General, United Nations:
“The Secretary-General welcomes the discussions and reported commitments reached in Saudi Arabia by the United States, the Russian Federation and Ukraine. Reaching an agreement on freedom of navigation in the Black Sea to ensure the protection of civilian vessels and port infrastructure, will be a crucial contribution to global food security and supply chains, reflecting the importance of trade routes from both Ukraine and the Russian Federation to global markets. The United Nations has been working consistently, especially following the letters the Secretary-General sent to Presidents Zelenskyy, Putin and Erdogan on 7 February 2024 putting forward a proposal for safe and free navigation in the Black Sea. The United Nations also remains closely engaged in the continued implementation of the Memorandum of Understanding with the Russian Federation on facilitating access of Russian food and fertilizers to global markets to address global food security. The Secretary-General's good offices remain available to support all efforts towards peace. The Secretary-General reiterates his hope that such efforts will pave the way for a durable ceasefire and contribute to achieving a just, comprehensive and lasting peace in Ukraine, in line with the UN Charter, international law and relevant UN resolutions and in full respect of Ukraine’s independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity.”
4. Wide shot, end of press briefing

Storyline

The United Nations welcomed reported commitments made in Saudi Arabia between the United States, the Russian Federation, and Ukraine on securing freedom of navigation in the Black Sea.

“Reaching an agreement on freedom of navigation in the Black Sea to ensure the protection of civilian vessels and port infrastructure, will be a crucial contribution to global food security and supply chains,” said Stéphane Dujarric, Spokesperson for the Secretary-General today (Mar 26). He emphasized that the move underscores “the importance of trade routes from both Ukraine and the Russian Federation to global markets.”

Dujarric noted that the UN has been “working consistently, especially following the letters the Secretary-General sent to Presidents Zelenskyy, Putin and Erdogan on 7 February 2024,” which outlined a proposal for “safe and free navigation in the Black Sea.”

He added that the UN remains engaged in the implementation of the existing Memorandum of Understanding with Russia, aimed at facilitating access to Russian food and fertilizers to stabilize global food prices.

“The Secretary-General’s good offices remain available to support all efforts towards peace,” Dujarric said, expressing hope that the maritime commitments could be “a step toward a durable ceasefire” and contribute to “a just, comprehensive and lasting peace in Ukraine, in line with the UN Charter, international law and relevant UN resolutions and in full respect of Ukraine’s independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity.”