Putin backs Trump call to stop striking energy facilities for 30 days: Kremlin

MOSCOW -- Russian President Vladimir Putin "responded positively" to a proposal by US President Donald Trump for Russia and Ukraine to mutually stop striking energy infrastructures, the Kremlin's press service said Tuesday following a phone conversation of the two leaders.

Putin "immediately gave the Russian military the appropriate command" in response to the proposal, the Kremlin said in a statement.

Putin also supported Trump's proposal on maritime security in the Black Sea, and both sides agreed to begin negotiations on the agreement soon.

Regarding a 30-day ceasefire plan proposed by the United States and Ukraine, Russia noted concerns over effective control along the entire line of contact and the need to stop "forced mobilization" in Ukraine and its troop rearmament.

Russian and American expert groups are being created to continue efforts to "achieve a bilateral settlement in Ukraine," the Kremlin added.

During the phone talks, Putin highlighted achieving a "comprehensive, sustainable and long-term" settlement, while addressing "the root causes of the crisis" and Russian security interests.

The Russian leader noted that a cessation of foreign military aid and intelligence support to Kiev would be a key condition to preventing escalation and moving toward a political and diplomatic resolution.

Putin and Trump held their previous phone conversation on Feb 12. Following the call, high-level Russian and American officials met on Feb 18 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, agreeing to normalize bilateral relations and seek an end to the Ukraine conflict.