Donald Trump has proposed taking control of Ukrainian power plants, including the largest nuclear facility in Europe, during a call with Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky.
Mr Zelensky hailed the call on Wednesday night as a “positive, very substantive and frank conversation”. It was the first conversation between the two leaders since their infamous public row in the Oval Office of the White House, and came a day after Mr Trump spoke on the phone with Russia's Vladimir Putin.
Mr Zelensky said a "lasting peace" could be agreed this year as he praised Mr Trump's leadership. He said Mr Trump posed the idea of “an understanding” in which “the United States can recover” the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant, which has been under Russian control since early in the war.
A White House statement said Mr Trump described “American ownership of those plants [as] the best protection for that infrastructure and support for Ukrainian energy infrastructure”.
Mr Zelensky said that a halt on energy infrastructure attacks, agreed in the Trump-Putin call, could be established quickly, but warned Ukraine will respond in kind if Moscow violated the terms of the limited ceasefire.
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Key Points
- Trump proposes US takeover of Ukraine's energy plants
- Zelensky says 'lasting peace' could be agreed this year after call with Trump
- Zelensky says energy strike ceasefire could be established quickly
- Trump hails 'very good' call with Zelensky
- Russia and Ukraine both release 175 prisoners of war
Ukraine targets Russian airbase housing strategic bombers
07:06
,
Arpan Rai
An airfield is on fire deep inside Russia after Ukrainian drones targeted a base housing strategic bombers, according to Russian officials and state media.
The base in Engels, about 700km (435 miles) from the frontlines in Ukraine, hosts Russia's Tupolev Tu-160 nuclear-capable heavy strategic bombers.
Roman Busargin, the governor of Saratov, said there had been a Ukrainian drone attack on the town of Engels that had left an airfield on fire and that nearby residents had been evacuated.
He did not specifically mention the Engels base, but it is the main airfield in the area.
A plume of black smoke rising above cottages and what appears to be a major fire rising into the dawn sky, according to the unverified footage on Russian Telegram channels.
Russia's defence ministry said air defences had shot down 132 Ukrainian drones overnight over six different regions in southern Russia, including 54 in the Saratov region where the Engels base is located.
Why does Trump want Ukraine's power plants?
06:40
,
Arpan Rai
Donald Trump suggested to Volodymyr Zelensky that he should consider giving the US ownership of Ukraine’s power plants to ensure their long-term security, according to a White House statement.
Mr Trump told Zelensky yesterday that the US could be “very helpful in running those plants with its electricity and utility expertise,” according to a statement from secretary of state Marco Rubio and national security adviser Mike Waltz.
Mr Trump suggested that “American ownership of those plants could be the best protection for that infrastructure,” according to White House officials.
The idea was floated even as the Trump administration looks to finalise an agreement to gain access to Ukraine’s critical minerals as partial repayment for US support for Ukraine during the war.
In Kyiv, Mr Zelensky said the conversation focused on the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant — which is the largest of its kind in Europe and has been under Russian control since early in the war.
He said Mr Trump posed the idea of “an understanding” in which “the United States can recover” the plant.
Airfield on fire in Russia's Saratov region after Ukrainian drone attack
06:11
,
Arpan Rai
An airfield is on fire in Russia's Saratov region after a Ukrainian drone attack, governor Roman Busargin said this morning.
The Russian official said they are evacuating the nearby region for safety of residents living close to the airfield.
The scale of the fire at the airfield was not immediately clear.
White House says intelligence sharing with Ukraine will continue after Trump call with Zelensky
05:33
,
Arpan Rai
The White House has said America’s intelligence community would continue to share information with the Ukrainian government to bolster Kyiv’s defensive efforts.
The announcement came after president Donald Trump and Ukrainian leader Vladimir Zelensky had a phone call yesterday.
Press secretary Karoline Leavitt said the two leaders reviewed the situation in Kursk and agreed to share information closely between their defence staffs as the battlefield situation evolved.
“President Zelensky asked for additional air defence 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,” Ms Leavitt said.
Putin showing 'true face' with energy grid attack, says Finnish president
05:09
,
Arpan Rai
Finnish president Alexander Stubb has said the only real solution to put off Moscow was to “militarise Ukraine to its teeth”.
Talking to Politico, Mr Stubb said the Russian president Vladimir Putin has revealed his real intentions in Ukraine by bombing civilian energy infrastructure just hours after claiming to Donald Trump that Moscow would stop such attacks.
“As someone who’s mediated the ceasefire in Georgia in 2008, I can say this is a fairly typical Putin tactic,” Mr Stubb told Politico.
“We have an aggressor who says he wants a ceasefire and peace, but refuses to commit,” he said.
“And I think yesterday’s phone conversation between Trump and Putin was a step in the right direction, but we are now seeing the true face of Putin,” Mr Stubb said.
Ukraine has an undeniable right to defend itself on its own and supported by partners, he said after his meeting with Mr Zelensky in Helsinki.
Hundreds of prisoners of war exchanged
05:00
,
Jane Dalton
Russia and Ukraine have each swapped 175 prisoners, in one of the largest exchanges since the Russian full-scale invasion three years ago.
Moscow also handed over 22 badly wounded Ukrainian prisoners, the Russian defence ministry added, in what it says was a goodwill measure.
Ukraine’s president Volodymyr Zelensky said: “We are bringing back soldiers, sergeants, and officers — warriors who fought for our freedom in the ranks of the Armed Forces, the Navy, the National Guard, the Territorial Defence Forces, and the Border Guard Service.”
The Ukrainian leader said releasing all prisoners of war as well as captured civilians would be an important step toward peace and could help build trust between the two countries. He has repeatedly called for an “all-for-all” prisoner exchange.
In case you missed it:
Zelensky says 'lasting peace' could be agreed this year after call with Trump
04:26
,
Arpan Rai
Volodymyr Zelensky has said “lasting peace” in Ukraine could be achieved this year by working together with US president Donald Trump.
His remarks came shortly after speaking to Mr Trump yesterday, where he said Mr Trump also shared the details of his call with Vladimir Putin.
“We agreed that Ukraine and the United States should continue working together to achieve a real end to the war and lasting peace. We believe that together with America, with President Trump, and under American leadership, lasting peace can be achieved this year,” he said.
Mr Zelensky described his call with Mr Trump as “positive, very substantive, and frank conversation”.
Zelensky says energy strike ceasefire could be established quickly
03:53
,
Arpan Rai
Volodymyr Zelensky has said that a halt on energy strikes in the war with Russia could be established quickly, but warned Ukraine will respond in kind if Moscow violated the terms of the limited ceasefire.
The Ukrainian war-time president said Kyiv would draw up a list of facilities that could be subject to a partial ceasefire brokered by Washington, after a phone call with US president Donald Trump.
This list could include not only energy, but also rail and port infrastructure, he said, a day after Russian president Vladimir Putin spoke to Mr Trump and claimed to agree to pause attacks on energy infrastructure.
"I understand that until we agree (with Russia), until there is a corresponding document on even a partial ceasefire, I think that everything will fly," Mr Zelensky said, referring to drones and missiles.
Opinion: Putin’s attacks make mockery of Trump deal
03:45
,
Jane Dalton
White House hails 'fantastic' call between Trump and Zelensky
03:40
,
Arpan Rai
Donald Trump and Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky agreed to work together to end Russia's war with Ukraine, in what the White House described as a "fantastic" one-hour phone call.
In their first conversation since an Oval Office shouting match last month, Mr Zelensky thanked Mr Trump for US support and the two leaders agreed that technical teams would meet in Saudi Arabia in the coming days.
Mr Zelensky asked Trump for more air defence support to protect his country against Russian attacks and the US president said he would help locate the necessary military equipment in Europe, the White House said.
The US president also briefed Mr Zelensky on his phone call on Tuesday with Vladimir Putin, in which the Russian president rejected a proposed full 30-day ceasefire sought by Mr Trump that Ukraine said it would be prepared to accept, but agreed to pause attacks on energy infrastructure.
Russia and Ukraine swap 350 prisoners of war in one of the largest exchanges
03:13
,
Arpan Rai
Russia and Ukraine said they had each swapped 175 prisoners in one of the largest exchanges since the Russian full-scale invasion started three years ago.
"We are bringing back soldiers, sergeants, and officers — warriors who fought for our freedom in the ranks of the Armed Forces, the Navy, the National Guard, the Territorial Defence Forces, and the Border Guard Service," said Ukraine's president Volodymyr Zelensky.
On Tuesday, Mr Zelensky had said that releasing all prisoners of war as well as captured civilians would be an important step toward peace and could help build trust between the two countries.
He has repeatedly called for an "all-for-all" prisoner exchange.
This comes as ongoing discussions about a temporary ceasefire that may pause the war continue.
Russia sends 400 firefighters to put out fire at Krasnodar oil depot
03:00
,
Arpan Rai
Russian authorities have had to deploy hundreds of firefighters to extinguish a blaze which broke out yesterday at an oil depot in southern Krasnodar region.
The fire broke out on Tuesday after Ukraine had launched a drone attack on Russia and is yet to be brought under control.
Authorities in the region said a total of 406 firefighters and 157 pieces of equipment had been sent to the site near the village of Kavkazskaya.
"Specialists are continuing to battle the fire over an area of 4,250 sq. metres (45,750 sq. ft)," Krasnodar regional administration said on Telegram. The fire focused on burning petroleum products around a tank and shut-off valves.
The region's administration said on Tuesday that 30 employees had been evacuated from the depot and operations had been suspended.
Watch: White House declares Russia and Ukraine ‘never been closer to peace’
02:30
,
Jane Dalton
Analysis: Zelensky spies chance to get Trump back on side
01:15
,
Jane Dalton
No 10 welcomes Trump's progress on truce deal
00:05
,
Jane Dalton
Downing Street has welcomed "the progress President Trump has made” towards a ceasefire deal after the US leader's call with Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky.
A Downing Street spokesperson said: "We welcome the progress President Trump has made towards a ceasefire deal, and we will continue to work with international partners on putting Ukraine in the strongest possible position.
"We now need to ensure the implementation of the ceasefire deal to see a just and lasting peace in Ukraine."
European blueprint outlines how to boost defence spending
Wednesday 19 March 2025 23:01
,
Jane Dalton
Europe should further boost military spending, pool resources on joint defence projects and buy more European arms, according to an EU blueprint unveiled on Wednesday.
The European Commission presented the proposals in a White Paper on defence, which aims to ensure Europe has a "strong and sufficient" defence posture by 2030.
"The international order is undergoing changes of a magnitude not seen since 1945. This is a pivotal moment for European security," European Union foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said in Brussels.
Ms Kallas said Russia's economy was in "full war mode", with 40% of its federal budget going to the military.
"Regardless of the ongoing negotiations for peace in Ukraine, this is a long-term investment in a long-term plan of aggression," she declared.
Some proposed measures aim to boost the EU's arms industry, so any role for companies from major weapons producers in the United States, Britain and Turkey would be substantially limited.
US denies data on abducted children deleted
Wednesday 19 March 2025 22:00
,
Jane Dalton
The US State Department has denied that data collected in a government-funded program that helps track abducted Ukrainian children has been deleted, but acknowledged that the effort had been terminated as part of Washington's freeze on almost all foreign aid.
In a letter to Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Democratic lawmakers sounded alarm that the data might have been permanently deleted.
State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce said suggestions that data was deleted were false.
"The data exists," she said. "It was not in the State Department's control. It was the people running that framework, but we know who is running the data and the website, and we know fully that the data exists and it's not been deleted and it's not missing."
On Wednesday it was revealed that the Trump administration cut funding to Yale University’s Humanitarian Research Lab, which was compiling a database of alleged Russian war crimes, including the abduction of an estimated 35,000 children from occupied areas of Ukraine:
Putin demands Ukrainian capitulation, say experts
Wednesday 19 March 2025 21:10
,
Jane Dalton
The Institute for the Study of War, a Washington-based think tank, has said Vladimir Putin's demands during his call with Donald Trump would amount to "Ukrainian capitulation".
"Putin is attempting to hold the temporary ceasefire proposal hostage in order to extract pre-emptive concessions ahead of formal negotiations to end the war," the ISW said.
White House national security adviser Mike Waltz said on social media that he and his Russian counterpart, Yuri Ushakov, agreed on Wednesday that their teams would meet soon in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia "to focus on implementing and expanding the partial ceasefire President Trump secured from Russia".
Lasting peace can be achieved this year, says Zelensky
Wednesday 19 March 2025 20:25
,
Jane Dalton
Volodymyr Zelensky says he believes lasting peace can be achieved this year with the support of the US, after his phone call with Donald Trump - the first time the pair had spoken since the US president threw his Ukrainian counterpart out of the White House.
On social media, Mr Zelensky said Ukraine was ready to implement the ending of strikes on energy and other civilian infrastructure, agreed by Russia’s Vladimir Putin and the US leader.
Mr Zelensky thanked Mr Trump for the talks in Saudi Arabia earlier this week, and added: "We agreed that Ukraine and the United States should continue working together to achieve a real end to the war and lasting peace.
"We believe that together with America, with President Trump, and under American leadership, lasting peace can be achieved this year."
Orban says EU must back Trump efforts
Wednesday 19 March 2025 19:48
,
Jane Dalton
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban says the European Union has to back efforts by Donald Trump to get a peace deal.
Asked whether he continued to oppose the EU giving more money to Ukraine, Orban replied: "We don't support it.
"In our understanding, there is one simple mission to be done by the European Union - to support President Donald Trump's efforts to make peace," he added.
White House says intelligence-sharing will continue
Wednesday 19 March 2025 19:19
,
Jane Dalton
Analysis: Trump’s stance on Russia won’t end war
Wednesday 19 March 2025 18:58
,
Jane Dalton
Zelensky thanks Trump for PoWs exchange
Wednesday 19 March 2025 18:11
,
Jane Dalton
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."
Zelensky hails 'substantive and frank' conversation with Trump
Wednesday 19 March 2025 18:08
,
Jane Dalton
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.”
EU could give Kyiv huge ammunition boost
Wednesday 19 March 2025 18:04
,
Jane Dalton
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."
US shares intelligence again with Kyiv
Wednesday 19 March 2025 17:53
,
Jane Dalton
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.
Trump proposes taking over Ukraine's energy plants
Wednesday 19 March 2025 17:47
,
Jane Dalton
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.
Why both Russia and Ukraine covet Crimea
Wednesday 19 March 2025 17:40
,
Jane Dalton
Zelensky still aiming for Nato and EU membership
Wednesday 19 March 2025 17:21
,
Jane Dalton
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.
Today, during my meeting with Speaker of the Parliament of Finland Jussi Halla-aho, leaders of political groups, and heads of parliamentary committees, I spoke about the steps toward a just end to the war.
— Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) March 19, 2025
Our state, together with its partners, is developing a plan to achieve… pic.twitter.com/P9bDxW04nY
Analysis: Putin demands Ukraine be muzzled and blinded
Wednesday 19 March 2025 16:58
,
Jane Dalton
Mapped: Attacks on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure, from nuclear to hydroelectric
Wednesday 19 March 2025 16:38
,
Jane Dalton
Russia’s aerial attacks on Ukrainian electricity and gas systems are estimated to have more than £11 billion in three years:
Four injured in attack on Ukrainian railway, says state railway company
Wednesday 19 March 2025 16:07
,
Alex Croft
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.”
Trump hails 'very good' call with Zelensky
Wednesday 19 March 2025 15:47
,
Alex Croft
Donald Trump has hailed a “very good telephone call” with Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky, which lasted around one hour.
“Much of the discussion was based on the call made yesterday with President Putin in order to align both Russia and Ukraine in terms of their requests and needs,” Mr Trump wrote on Truth Social.
“We are very much on track, and I will ask Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and National Security Advisor Michael Waltz, to give an accurate description of the points discussed. That Statement will be put out shortly.”
Heavyweight boxing champion Oleksandr Usyk visits destroyed energy plant in Ukraine
Wednesday 19 March 2025 15:30
,
Alex Croft
Ukrainian boxing champion Oleksandr Usyk visited a destroyed energy plant in central Ukraine, shortly before Vladimir Putin agreed to immediately halt attacks on energy infrastructure in Ukraine.
Standing among the devastation of the central Ukrainian plant, the 38-year-old heavyweight saw first-hand the effects of Russia’s systematic and repeated attacks on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure in its attempt to weaken Kyiv’s war effort.
Usyk visited the site on Monday, just one day before Putin agreed to temporarily halt all attacks on energy infrastructure in a phone call with US president Donald Trump on Tuesday.
Read the full report:
What will Trump and Zelensky be discussing on the phone?
Wednesday 19 March 2025 15:16
,
Alex Croft
In their first talks since late February, presidents Donald Trump and Volodymyr Zelensky will almost certainly be discussing the partial ceasefire agreed by Vladimir Putin yesterday.
The Russian autocrat agreed to halt all attacks on energy infrastructure for around a month during a phone call with Mr Trump on Tuesday.
But Ukrainian authorities accused Russia of striking energy facilities after the city of Slovyansk lost power overnight.
Moscow countered the claims, stating that it called off a drone attack on Ukrainian energy infrastructure and had shot down seven of its own drones. The Kremlin also accused Ukraine of targeting Russian energy targets overnight, including an alleged attack on an oil depot near the village of Kavkazskaya.
Mr Zelensky does not trust that Putin is an honest candidate for peace, and will likely make that clear to the US president.
Speaking on X yesterday about last night’s attacks, he said: “The fact that this night is no exception shows that the pressure on Russia must continue for the sake of peace.
“Today, Putin effectively rejected the proposal for a full ceasefire. It would be right for the world to respond by rejecting any attempts by Putin to prolong the war.”
In pictures: Zelensky visits Finnish president in Helsinki before Trump call
Wednesday 19 March 2025 15:01
,
Alex Croft
Reminder: How Zelensky and Trump's last talks ended in disaster
Wednesday 19 March 2025 14:48
,
Alex Croft
Volodymyr Zelensky is currently speaking with US president Donald Trump for the first time in just under three weeks.
The last time the pair spoke produced one of the most infamous scenes in recent history, when Mr Trump and vice president JD Vance teamed up in a verbal attack of the Ukrainian president, who they accused of not showing enough gratitude to the US for its military support.
News anchors were left open-mouthed as Mr Zelensky was subsequently booted out of the Oval Office by his US counterpart, who told him not to return until he was “ready for peace”.
“You’re playing cards, you’re gambling with the lives of millions of people,” Mr Trump told Ukraine’s war leader. “You’re not in a good position right now,” Mr Zelensky was repeatedly told, in remarks which drew outrage from leaders around the world.
It kicked off when Mr Zelensky - who was officially at the White House to sign a crucial minerals deal with the US - repeatedly reiterated the need for US security guarantees in any future peace settlement, before Mr Vance accused him of not being grateful enough to the US.
Zelensky currently speaking to Trump over the phone
Wednesday 19 March 2025 14:46
,
Alex Croft
President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky are speaking by phone as Kyiv continues to weather attacks on energy infrastructure despite Russian leader Vladimir Putin’s claim to have ordered a halt to such attacks following a phone call with Trump one day earlier.
The White House said the call would take place Wednesday morning, and White House deputy chief of staff Dan Scavino confirmed on X (formerly Twitter) that the two leaders had been connected and were speaking as of 10:38 am ET.
White House correspondent Andrew Feinberg with the full report: