Andy Burnham offers ‘complete solidarity’ with Ukraine as he backs Donald Trump’s energy ceasefire

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky welcomed the announcement as “good news” but said he was unaware of the details.

Moscow did not publicly comment on the development but projectiles rained down on a power plant in Kyiv and energy facilities in Kharkiv just hours after the announcement.

Mr Burnham said: “Russia has intensified its strikes on Ukrainian energy infrastructure over the weekend.

“This is an attack on Ukrainian civilians, plunging them into cold and darkness.

“The UK strongly supports President Trump’s call today for a sustained energy ceasefire to start now.

“I discussed this with Volodymyr Zelensky yesterday: Ukraine is ready if Russia stops its attacks. This is the best route to get energy and fuel back into world markets.”

The Prime Minister had reiterated his “complete solidarity” with the Ukrainian leader in a call on Saturday and said he plans to meet him in person in the coming days.

French President Emmanuel Macron, EU Chief Ursula Von der Leyen, and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney have all also backed the proposed ceasefire.

Mr Trump ‘s calls for an energy ceasefire followed the announcement of a shock diesel deal with Vladimir Putin.

Under the deal, Moscow would supply “immediately more than 300,000 tonnes of diesel fuel” as prices hit record levels.

The Ukrainian President condemned the deal as a “weak decision” – Mr Trump hit back by saying it was “time for Ukraine to get a new president”.

Mr Zelensky told ABC News he would be willing to hold elections in exchange for a 60-day ceasefire.

Then, on Sunday, the Commander-in-Chief posted on social media: “Effective immediately, there is an ENERGY CEASEFIRE in the War between Russia and Ukraine. Both parties have agreed. Do not break it!”

No further details were given.

Diesel and gasoline prices have sharply risen during Mr Trump’s second term and may affect his party in the upcoming midterm elections.

Seven senators, including three Democrats and four Republicans, have condemned the deal as it “runs directly counter” to a law banning Russian energy imports.

They said: “Congress was clear: the US should not import oil from Russia until it ends its aggression against Ukraine and ceases threats against our Nato Allies.”

Republican Senator Thom Thillis told US outlet NBC News the deal would put American lives at risk.

On Sunday, Wes Streeting told GB News the Government did not support Mr Trump’s diesel deal, and said it was Britain’s responsibility to “try and bring our friends back together” during the diplomatic spat.

He added: “That’s the leadership you can expect from Andy Burnham, from Ed Miliband and I as we seek to do that.”

Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch said Mr Trump was “wrong to ease sanctions on Russian diesel, wrong to blame President Zelensky for prolonging Putin’s war and wrong to undermine a nation fighting for its right to exist”.