Zaporizhzhia debate: Zelensky rebuffs Trump’s nuclear proposal
The Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant, currently occupied by Russian troops, can only be operated under Ukraine's control, President Volodymyr Zelensky declared on Thursday. He was responding to Donald Trump's offer for the United States to take control of Ukraine's nuclear power plants to ensure their protection.
Volodymyr Zelensky met on Thursday in Oslo with Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre. At a press conference following the meeting, he assessed that Donald Trump conceded to the Kremlin too readily on the topic of Ukraine's NATO membership. He pointed out that in the American agenda of talks with the Russians, the subject of Ukraine joining NATO was no longer prominent. He commented that this is "a big gift to Russia."
He also addressed Donald Trump's proposal regarding Ukraine's nuclear energy sector. Zelensky stated that while other energy sectors may be privatized, nuclear power plants are and will remain the property of the Ukrainian state. He added that the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant, currently occupied by Russian troops, will only operate under Ukraine's control. Zelensky also emphasized that he did not discuss the ownership of the power plants or the status of Crimea, occupied by Russian forces, with Trump.
Let us recall that on Wednesday, Zelensky had a phone conversation with the U.S. President. The White House reported that Trump conducted a "very good telephone call" with Zelensky, during which the Ukrainian president thanked Trump for the "fruitful" beginning of the negotiation teams' work from both countries towards ending the war in Ukraine. The presidents agreed on a ceasefire concerning attacks on energy facilities. Earlier, the White House reported that Russian President Vladimir Putin also agreed to such an arrangement in a Tuesday conversation with Trump.
White House: Taking control is the best form of protection
According to a White House statement, Trump also raised the issue of Ukrainian nuclear power plants and the energy grid during Wednesday's conversation with Zelensky. "He said that the United States could be very helpful in running those plants with its electricity and utility expertise. American ownership of those plants would be the best protection for that infrastructure and support for Ukrainian energy infrastructure" – it was written in the joint statement by U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and White House National Security Advisor Mike Waltz.
The Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant is the largest nuclear power plant in Europe. Since March 2022, it has been occupied by Russian troops. Russians have repeatedly shelled the plant area, which, according to authorities in Kyiv, poses a radiation threat with unpredictable consequences.
