Zelensky rejects Trump's plan for Zaporizhzhia plant control
The Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant, currently occupied by Russian troops, will only be able to operate under Ukrainian control, stated Volodymyr Zelensky at a press conference in Oslo. Thus, the President of Ukraine rejected Donald Trump's proposal.
- The Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant is currently occupied by Russian troops. The plant, being the largest nuclear station in Europe, has been under Russian control since March 2022.
- President Volodymyr Zelensky declared that the plant will only operate under Ukrainian control. This position was expressed during a press conference in Oslo.
- The Russians have repeatedly shelled the plant's area, which according to the authorities in Kyiv poses a radiation threat. The consequences of such actions are difficult to predict.
Zelensky denies reports from the White House
Zelensky emphasized that he did not hold talks with former US President Donald Trump about the ownership of the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant or the status of Crimea, which also remains under Russian occupation.
The Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant, being the largest nuclear station in Europe, has been occupied by Russian troops since the beginning of March 2022. The Russians have repeatedly shelled the plant's area, which according to the authorities in Kyiv poses a radiation threat with unpredictable consequences.
Trump on the Ukrainian power plant
Former US President Donald Trump suggested in a conversation with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky that the United States could take over Ukrainian nuclear power plants for their safety— it was stated in a White House communiqué following the leaders' phone call.
"American ownership of those plants would be the best protection for that infrastructure and support for Ukrainian energy infrastructure" — it was written on Wednesday in a joint communiqué by US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and White House National Security Advisor Mike Waltz, regarding the conversation between the US president and Zelensky.
The US and Ukrainian presidents held a phone call during which they discussed key issues concerning energy and humanitarian security. "President Zelenskyy asked for additional air defence systems to protect his civilians, particularly Patriot missile systems" — the communiqué reads. Trump agreed to cooperate on this issue.
