Trump says Ukraine and Russia have agreed ‘energy ceasefire’

Zelensky said it was “news” to him that an energy truce was in effect in comments to news site Axios, before writing on social media that his officials “look forward to clear details of America’s dialogue with Russia”.

“Ukraine is ready not to strike at Russian energy and we count on Russia’s similar readiness and on the agreement of the president of the United States of America on this,” he said.

The BBC has asked the White House for further details.

UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham said Britain “strongly supports President Trump’s call today for a sustained energy ceasefire to start now”, while France, Canada and the EU also expressed support.

Zelensky later said Russia had hit a power plant in Kyiv with a drone, causing power cuts, followed by strikes on energy facilities in the north-eastern Kharkiv region.

“All of this happened after the president of the United States made his statement about an energy ceasefire,” he said.

For months, Ukraine and Russia have been exchanging strikes on energy infrastructure.

Moscow said the installations it hits were legitimate targets because they supported Ukraine’s military operation, while Zelensky has characterised Ukrainian attacks deep inside Russian territory as part of an effort to “reduce Russia’s ability to finance the war”.

The attacks have disrupted energy supplies on both sides.