Vladimir Zelensky, the former comedian and actor who has just won a landslide victory in Ukraine's presidental election, will face a tough energy supply challenge as soon as he takes on his new role in early June.

Zelensky, 41, stormed on to the country’s political landscape less than a year ago.

His popularity rose at an unprecedented speed among voters in Ukraine, who are hoping for a better life after years of stagnating reforms and attempts to move on from the Soviet legacy that included cheap energy such as gas and electricity.