Ukraine deal can't reward Putin for actions: minister

Any ceasefire deal in Ukraine would still need to hold Russian President Vladimir Putin to account for the invasion, Australia's defence minister says.

US President Donald Trump said his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin agreed to a 30-day "immediate ceasefire on all energy and infrastructure" after a lengthy phone call between the two.

Further discussions for a full ceasefire were flagged but it remains unclear the extent to which Ukraine will be involved as Washington and Moscow press ahead with talks.

Defence Minister Richard Marles said while Australia welcomed steps towards a peace deal, Russia could not get off lightly for its actions.

"It's very important that whatever is put in place absolutely holds Vladimir Putin to account and that Ukraine ... can be assured that there is validity in this ceasefire," he told ABC TV on Wednesday.

"At the end of the day, Ukraine must be empowered in this process. They must be the ones who are able to see this dispute resolved on their terms."

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy flagged support for the proposal to stop strikes against energy infrastructure and welcomed steps towards peace.

But he said he wanted to speak with Mr Trump to find out what was offered by each side as part of the agreement.

The Ukrainian president also called for Europe to be involved in any peace process.

Former Australian ambassador to the US Arthur Sinodinos said the American president was "impatient" during the negotiation process, while Russia was lengthening talks for its own gains.

"The Russians are in the game of drawing the negotiations out as long as they can to get as many concessions as they can get," he told Nine's Today program.

"Trump was able to get the concession on a cease fire and energy and infrastructure, and that's that's a good thing, but everything else is still up for grabs."

Ukrainian drone attacks have targeted Russian oil depots and refineries and knocked out up to 10 per cent of refining capacity during some weeks in February, according to Reuters analysis.

Mr Zelenskiy said there was a build-up of Russian forces near the Sumy region in Ukraine's northeast and that Moscow was preparing new offensives along other fronts in the coming months.

Mr Putin said an enduring ceasefire would require military aid and intelligence sharing with Ukraine being cut off.

Australia has given $1.5 billion in aid to Ukraine, including military hardware such as Bushmaster vehicles and Abrams tanks that are set to arrive in the second half of 2024.

Mr Marles said Russia could not be rewarded for its actions following its invasion of Ukraine in 2022.

"At the end of the day, Vladimir Putin is the person, the reason why this conflict started in the first place," he said.

with Reuters