Europe Explained

Imagine two players agreeing to stop hitting each other's power supply while the rest of the game goes on. That is the idea of an energy ceasefire. On Sunday 11 October President Trump said Russia and Ukraine had agreed to one, effective immediately. By Monday both sides had denied it.

Ukraine's President Zelenskyy told a forum in Warsaw that Ukraine had refrained from attacking Russian energy sites since the announcement, and that Russia kept attacking Ukraine's. A Russian strike on a residential high-rise in a Kyiv suburb killed at least two people on Monday evening.

US envoys told Ukrainian officials that a deal letting Russia export diesel is meant to draw Moscow back to talks, though they said Mr Putin was not ready to negotiate an end to the war. In the Strait of Hormuz, an oil tanker was hit by a projectile on Monday, and Iran's Revolutionary Guard claimed the attack. It said it was the third ship it had hit in two days, and at least 18 attacks on ships in or near the strait have occurred since the start of October.

Sixty countries, including EU members, Australia and the UK, backed a declaration pledging to preserve freedom of navigation and opposing tolls on straits used for international navigation.

On the battlefield, Gen. Oleksandr Syrskyi, the former commander-in-chief of Ukraine's forces, told the BBC that Ukraine has stabilised the front line and broken Russia's ability to advance. Russia's Defence Ministry said it hit targets in Ukraine including vessels carrying military cargo, and did not mention energy sites.

RAF Fairford is a Royal Air Force base in Gloucestershire. Five British nationals, all in their mid-20s, were arrested near the base on suspicion of explosives offences and terrorism, and later bailed under investigation. Police said petrol, but no explosive devices, was found in the vans.

On Monday Prime Minister Andy Burnham told Parliament that Iran's Revolutionary Guard was almost certainly behind a suspected plot to attack the base. It was the first official UK blame for the alleged attack. Earlier he had spoken of strong indications of Iranian involvement.

Iran's ambassador, Seyed Ali Mousavi, categorically rejects the accusation. Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband summoned him. No charges have been announced.

Bulgaria sits on the western shore of the Black Sea. Its Prime Minister, Rumen Radev, says drones struck two ships off the coast, and one sank. Rescuers evacuated 15 crew, one sailor was rescued from the sunken ship, and 11 sailors are missing.

The 15 evacuated were seven Ukrainians and eight Azerbaijanis. Bulgaria summoned Russia's ambassador without formally accusing Russia. Mr Radev said there is no solid evidence against a specific party, but that the outcome favours Russia. He called the attacks completely unacceptable.

Bulgaria is not alone in worrying. Czech intelligence chief Michal Koudelka said Russia could pursue riskier operations in NATO states that support Ukraine within months. NATO's top commander, Gen. Alexus Grynkewich, said the alliance would be ready to fight tonight if attacked.