Zaporizhzhia nuclear station: Focal point in Russia-US talks
Amid ongoing negotiations between Russia and the USA, the state of the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Station remains a key topic. "It's hard to imagine the operation of this station if the area belonged to Russia," emphasizes Wojciech Jakóbik, an energy expert.
On Thursday, Steven Witkoff, the special advisor to President Donald Trump on Middle East affairs, arrived in Moscow. His visit follows talks between the Americans and Ukrainians in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
Witkoff has already met with Vladimir Putin in the Russian capital, ahead of a phone conversation between the Russian leader and Donald Trump, scheduled for later on Friday at 16:00 GMT. The discussion will focus on negotiations concerning a ceasefire in Ukraine.
A topic of discussion during the negotiations is the future of the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Station, occupied by Russian forces, as noted by Donald Trump in the Oval Office on Thursday.
"Ukraine stabilised its entire energy system using nuclear reactors, which accounted for about one-third of the country's energy production before the invasion. More importantly, they provided steady electricity supplies, operating consistently regardless of weather conditions. For the same reasons, Poles are keen to construct a nuclear power station," explains Wojciech Jakóbik.
"This facility, being the largest nuclear power station in Europe, was seized by Russian forces on 4 March 2022, and has remained under their control ever since," Jakóbik recalls, highlighting the scale of threats stemming from this situation.
The Russians attacked the facility, endangering nuclear safety. Now, those working on-site are doing so under duress, he indicates. The expert notes preparations to connect this station to the Russian grid. "It would represent the theft of Europe’s largest nuclear power station by the Russians," he remarks.
Key element of international talks
What might occur with the station in such a context? - The Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Station has become a pivotal topic in international negotiations, as its fate directly impacts Ukraine's ability to rebuild its economy and integrate with Europe, emphasizes the correspondent.
"Thus, its future is a crucial element of the talks. Without it, Ukraine's power system will be weakened. It will be more challenging for them to progress westward and integrate with Europe. It will be harder for them to prosper economically. It's also a substantial economic issue. Moreover, it involves regulation, standards, and international conventions," he points out.
Russian actions of overtaking energy infrastructure are not unprecedented. Jakóbik highlights comparable past occurrences.
He pointed out that Russia violated all security protocols by taking control of these power stations without legitimate ownership. He argued that a fair resolution to the conflict should involve returning seized facilities, including hydrocarbon infrastructure in Crimea. Similar events occurred in 2014 when Russian forces took over assets belonging to the Ukrainian company Naftogaz.
With the unlawful annexation of Crimea, they also took control of the company’s resources, depriving Ukraine of access to both existing and potential gas and energy reserves. This move, he added, hindered the country's shale sector development and blatantly disregarded international law.
The expert also considers potential future solutions for the plant, including a "frozen conflict" scenario, akin to instances like Transnistria.
"The Russians perpetuate a fictional impression that Zaporizhzhia is under the control of regional forces that, though Russian-influenced, are purportedly rebellious against Ukraine. This opens opportunities for discussions on hybrid solutions, where Zaporizhzhia may still be recognised as part of Ukraine, but with puppet authorities controlled by Russia."
"Examples of such frozen conflicts include Transnistria, supplying energy to Moldova yet effectively controlled by Russians," he points out.
The station's return to Ukraine must also be linked to a broader agreement on Zaporizhzhia's return. - "It's difficult to envisage the operation of this power station if the area belonged to Russia," Jakóbik asserts.
And what if the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Station does not return to Ukrainians?
"There would be one less power station available to stabilise the grid. And it's the largest one. However, it’s not as though Ukraine cannot cope. The silver lining is that the country's economy is approximately a third smaller, so the energy demand is also reduced. Nevertheless, the Zaporizhzhia plant is a symbol. It is also an important subject from the perspective of international law, which forbids the annexation of another country's territory or assets without repercussions," he emphasizes.
