Donald Trump proposes US ownership of Ukraine’s nuclear plants

In their first known talk since their White House stoush, Donald Trump spoke to Volodymyr Zelensky on aligning the “requests and needs” of Russia and Ukraine.

US President Donald Trump has said he held a “very good” phone call with Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelensky and that efforts toward negotiating a ceasefire in Russia’s invasion are “very much on track”.

Mr Trump said in a Truth Social post that “much of the discussion” was following up on his call with Russian President Vladimir Putin and aimed “to align both Russia and Ukraine in terms of their requests and needs”.

Mr Trump raised the possibility of the United States taking ownership of Ukrainian power plants, the White House said as efforts to end the war with Russia proceed.

“American ownership of those plants would be the best protection for that infrastructure and support for Ukrainian energy infrastructure,” Karoline Leavitt told a press briefing.

Donald Trump and Volodymyr Zelensky have spoken for an hour-and-a-half by phone. Picture: AFP

For his part, Mr Zelensky on Wednesday said that he was ready to pause strikes on Russian energy and civilian infrastructure, after speaking to Mr Trump.

“One of the first steps towards 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,” Mr Zelensky wrote on X.

It was the first known talk between the two leaders since a tense meeting in the White House last month.

Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky, left, and Finland's President Alexander Stubb hug each other after the Europe in support of Ukraine discussion at the University of Helsinki, Finland after the call with Donald Trump. Picture: AP

TRUMP-PUTIN CALL

The call between Mr Trump and Mr Zelensky a day after Russian President Vladimir Putin agreed to temporarily halt attacks on Ukraine’s energy and infrastructure targets but indicated lasting peace would not come until the flow of foreign aid and intelligence to Kyiv stopped.

Mr Putin’s concession fell short of the 30-day ceasefire agreed to by Mr Zelensky last week and it is unclear if he will accept Russia’s proposal.

It was the first known talk between the two leaders since their now infamous White House stoush. Picture: AFP

After a 90-minute phone call between Mr Trump and Mr Putin, the White House issued a statement saying steps were being taken toward a full ceasefire, starting with a halt on attacks on energy and infrastructure targets.

“This conflict should never have started and should have been ended long ago with sincere and good faith peace efforts,” the statement said.

“The leaders agreed that the movement to peace will begin with an energy and infrastructure ceasefire, as well as technical negotiations on implementation of a maritime ceasefire in the Black Sea, full ceasefire and permanent peace.

“These negotiations will begin immediately in the Middle East.”

Mr Trump was positive about the development, describing his phone call with Mr Putin as “a very good and productive one”.

Russia's President Vladimir Putin and General Prosecutor Igor Krasnov attend a meeting of Russian prosecutors in Moscow on Wednesday local time. Picture: Alexei Nikolsky, Sputnik, Kremlin via AP

Vladimir Putin spoke with Donald Trump for 90 minutes. Picture: Alexei Nikolsky, Sputnik, Kremlin via AP

He said the energy and infrastructure agreement was made with an understanding that it was the first step to a complete ceasefire and an end to “this very horrible war”.

“Many elements of a contract for peace were discussed, including the fact that thousands of soldiers are being killed, and both President Putin and President Zelensky would like to see it end,” Mr Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform.

“That process is now in full force and effect, and we will, hopefully, for the sake of humanity, get the job done!”.

It’s understood Russia and Ukraine will take part in a prisoner swap following the call, with both sides to hand over 175 prisoners including 23 seriously injured Ukrainian servicemen.

Rescuers and policemen work at a site of a Russian strike in Kharkiv. Picture: AFP

The White House said both leaders agreed “the conflict needs to end with a lasting peace”.

“They also stressed the need for improved bilateral relations between the United States and Russia,” it said.

“The blood and treasure that both Ukraine and Russia have been spending in this war would be better spent on the needs of their people.”

The Kremlin said Mr Putin has “responded positively” to the peace talks and was willing to continue negotiations.

It said the leaders “trust each other” and want to normalise US-Russia ties after more than three years of Moscow’s Ukraine offensive.

“Presidents Putin and Trump understand each other well, trust each other and are intent to gradually move towards the normalisation of ties,” Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said.

The White House said the pair also spoke about the Middle East conflict and “the need to stop proliferation of strategic weapons”.

The two leaders shared the view that Iran should never be in a position to destroy Israel,” the statement said.

The two leaders agreed that a future with an improved bilateral relationship between the United States and Russia has huge upside.

“This includes enormous economic deals and geopolitical stability when peace has been achieved.”

Hours before the call between the Russian and US presidents, Mr Zelensky accused Mr Putin of dragging out the long-running conflict.

“For a week now, Putin has been unable to squeeze out ‘yes’ to the ceasefire proposal,” Mr Zelensky said.

“He’s saying whatever he wants, but not what the whole world wants to hear.

“The unconditional ceasefire proposal is essentially about saving lives, allowing diplomats to work on ensuring security and a lasting peace — the proposal that Russia is ignoring.”

– with AFP