Ukraine-Russia war latest: Trump tells Zelensky US could take ownership of energy plants after Putin’s new airstrikes

The White House said President Zelensky thanked President Trump for continuing to push humanitarian [sic] including the exchange of prisoners of war.

“President Trump also asked President Zelensky about the children who had gone missing from Ukraine during the war, including the ones that had been abducted, and President Trump promised to work closely with both parties to help make sure those children were returned home,” the White House statement said.

“They agreed all parties must continue the effort to make a ceasefire work. The presidents noted the positive work of their advisers and representatives, especially Secretary Rubio, National Security Advisor Mike waltz, Special Envoy Kellogg and others.

“The presidents instructed their teams to move ahead with the technical issues related to implementing and broadening the partial ceasefire.

“The presidents instructed their advisers and representatives to carry out this work as quickly as possible.

“The President’s emphasis on the teams can agree on all necessary aspects of advancing toward lasting peace and security.”

Ukraine’s President Zelensky says he had a “positive, very substantive and frank” conversation with President Trump the first time the two leaders had spoken since Mr Trump and JD Vance verbally attacked Mr Zelensky in the Oval Office.

Mr Zelensky said he thanked the US president for a good and productive start to the work of the Ukrainian and American teams in Jeddah.

The meeting significantly helped in moving toward ending the war, he said.

“We agreed that Ukraine and the United States should continue working together to achieve a real end to the war and lasting peace,” he went on.

“We believe that together with America, with President Trump, and under American leadership, lasting peace can be achieved this year.

“President Trump shared details of his conversation with Putin and the key issues discussed.

“One of the first steps toward fully ending the war could be ending strikes on energy and other civilian infrastructure. I supported this step, and Ukraine confirmed that we are ready to implement it.”

European Union foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas says she will present a proposal to EU leaders in Brussels on Thursday to provide Ukraine with two million rounds of large-calibre artillery ammunition, according to a letter seen by Reuters.

The bloc’s diplomatic service last week circulated a discussion paper saying the EU should be prepared to go as far as doubling its military aid to Ukraine this year to 40 billion euros, but several countries made clear they were not ready to back that plan.

Now Kallas is pushing for one part of the plan to be agreed as a first step, writing in a letter addressed to EU foreign and defence ministers that two million rounds, valued at 5 billion euros, “is available on the market and could be delivered in 2025”.

“Ukraine is relying on us to act now,” she wrote, adding: “I intend to present this proposal to European leaders tomorrow at the European Council meeting and stress the importance of supporting this objective.”

The US will share battlefield intelligence again with Ukraine, President Trump has told President Zelensky.

According to a White House briefing on a call between the two leaders, President Trump “fully briefed President Zelensky on his conversation with Putin and the key issues discussed.

“They reviewed the situation in Kursk and agreed to share information closely between their defense staffs as the battlefield situation evolved.

“President Zelensky asked for additional air defense systems to protect his civilians, particularly Patriot missile systems, and President Trump agreed to work with him to find what was available, particularly in Europe.”

Two weeks ago, Mr Trump suspended intelligence-sharing for several days.

Donald Trump has proposed the US take over the running of Ukraine’s energy plants, in a phone call with President Zelensky.

A White House statement following the call read: “President Trump also discussed Ukraine’s electrical supply and nuclear power plants.

“He said that the United States could be very helpful in running those plants with its electricity and utility expertise, American ownership of those plants would be the best protection for that infrastructure and support for Ukrainian energy infrastructure.”

Russia has repeatedly bombed Ukraine’s energy infrastructure over the past three years.

Ukraine’s president Zelensky has again made clear his ambition for his country of joining the EU and Nato.

After meeting Finnish politicians, including the parliament’s Speaker, Mr Zelensky wrote on social media: “Our state, together with its partners, is developing a plan to achieve peace and ensure reliable security guarantees for Ukraine.

“Special attention was paid to supporting Ukraine on its path to EU and NATO membership.

“We are glad to be among friends, and I thank the Parliament and all political groups for their unanimous support of Ukraine and our people.”

The West has until now resisted Ukraine membership of Nato, as it could lead to direct war with Russia.

Russia’s aerial attacks on Ukrainian electricity and gas systems are estimated to have more than £11 billion in three years:

Four people were injured in the today’s second attack on railway infrastructure in he Dnipropetrovsk region, Ukraine’s state railway said.

“Four railway workers were injured, two of them in serious condition,” the organisation said. “They are receiving medical assistance.

“The attack was previously carried out by a ballistic missile.

“Railway workers made every effort to ensure that the hostile attacks did not affect the movement of passenger trains.”