Trump Suggests U.S. Ownership of Ukraine’s Power Plants \ Newslooks \ Washington DC \ Mary Sidiqi \ Evening Edition \ During a recent call, President Donald Trump reportedly suggested Ukraine transfer ownership of its power plants, particularly Zaporizhzhia, to the U.S. for long-term security. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy emphasized that Ukraine’s nuclear plants remain national assets. Discussions highlighted ongoing uncertainty surrounding the Russian-occupied Zaporizhzhia plant’s future.
Trump, Zelenskyy Discuss Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Plant Future Quick Looks
- Trump suggested U.S. ownership of Ukraine’s power plants for protection.
- Discussion focused on the Russian-controlled Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant (ZNPP).
- Zelenskyy reaffirmed that all Ukrainian nuclear plants belong to Ukraine.
- The Zaporizhzhia plant has been under Russian control since early 2022.
- ZNPP’s six reactors are shut down but still require safety maintenance.
- Ukraine faces challenges operating and staffing the facility due to Russian occupation.
- IAEA warns of radiation risk amid deteriorating conditions and limited inspections.
- Zelenskyy said U.S. involvement could be considered if Russia is removed.
- Talks remain preliminary with no imminent deal for plant ownership.
- Control of the plant is tied to broader conflict over territory.
Deep Look
A recent phone conversation between U.S. President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has brought a surprising proposal into the spotlight: Trump suggested that the United States assume ownership of Ukraine’s nuclear power plants, particularly the embattled Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant (ZNPP), to safeguard them for the long term. This proposal, outlined in a White House statement by Secretary of State Marco Rubio and National Security Adviser Mike Waltz, has triggered diplomatic curiosity and sparked debate over the feasibility and implications of such a move.
The conversation reportedly centered on the Zaporizhzhia plant — one of the world’s largest nuclear power stations — which has been under Russian occupation since the early days of Moscow’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. Despite being connected to Ukraine’s energy grid, the plant no longer produces electricity, and its fate remains uncertain amidst ongoing warfare and occupation.
During the call, Trump suggested that “American ownership of those plants could be the best protection for that infrastructure,” a suggestion that Zelenskyy addressed diplomatically but cautiously. Zelenskyy reiterated to reporters that while discussions did focus on the future of Zaporizhzhia, ownership of Ukraine’s three other active nuclear plants was never discussed. “All nuclear power plants belong to the people of Ukraine,” Zelenskyy firmly stated.
Currently, Ukraine operates three functional nuclear power plants, strategically located in the southern, western, and northwestern parts of the country, well away from front-line zones. These plants have become increasingly vital to Ukraine’s energy security as Russian attacks have devastated thermal and hydroelectric power stations.
The Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant, however, represents a more complex challenge. Occupied by Russian forces shortly after the invasion, it has become both a military and political flashpoint. Ukrainian officials have accused Russia of turning the facility into a military base, using it as cover to launch attacks across the Dnipro River, while Russian officials accuse Ukraine of shelling near the plant.
Adding to these concerns, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has repeatedly warned of the risk of a catastrophic nuclear accident. The plant’s six reactors have been in cold shutdown mode, but they still house vast quantities of nuclear fuel requiring constant cooling and maintenance. Blackouts caused by fighting have intermittently threatened the cooling systems, though emergency power has been restored each time.
Energoatom, Ukraine’s state nuclear agency, has reported that after Russian forces seized the plant, Ukrainian staff were forced to either sign contracts with Russian authorities and adopt Russian citizenship or leave the plant under threat of abduction or violence. This has left the facility significantly understaffed and increasingly difficult to manage. The June 2023 destruction of the nearby Kakhovka dam, which supplied cooling water, has further complicated safe operations.
In the aftermath of Trump’s suggestion, Zelenskyy acknowledged that U.S. investment and modernization efforts could potentially factor into the plant’s future — but only after the resolution of its occupation. “That is a separate question, an open one,” he said. He made it clear that so long as Russian troops are stationed near or inside the plant, safe operation is impossible. “Simply handing over the plant while everything within a meter of it remains occupied or armed by Russia — no one will work under such conditions,” he warned. “That would mean that the plant could start operating tomorrow, only to be blown up by the Russians the following day.”
While Trump’s proposal appears unprecedented, it signals the heightened global concern about safeguarding critical infrastructure in conflict zones. However, the legal and diplomatic complexities of transferring ownership of such sensitive assets, especially one located in occupied territory, make any immediate agreement highly unlikely. Control over the plant is intricately tied to broader issues of territorial sovereignty and military control, and neither side appears willing to make concessions in this regard.
From a logistical standpoint, any international intervention to secure, modernize, or manage the plant would require a full Russian withdrawal and comprehensive international agreements involving Ukraine, Russia, and possibly multilateral agencies like the IAEA and the United Nations. Without such cooperation, any notion of U.S. ownership or oversight remains theoretical.
Experts also point out that such a transfer could raise questions under international law. Nuclear plants are sovereign state assets, and handing control to a foreign power would likely trigger debates about sovereignty and security, especially in a region as volatile as Eastern Europe. Even symbolic U.S. oversight would likely be met with fierce resistance from Russia, which views the Zaporizhzhia region as part of its annexed territory, despite international non-recognition of that status.
Zelenskyy emphasized that any deal over the plant would require more than diplomatic agreement; it would demand security guarantees and physical control over the territory. “We are open to discussions, but the safety of our people and the integrity of our energy infrastructure come first,” he said.
For now, the discussion with Trump appears to be more exploratory than actionable. Zelenskyy characterized the conversation as positive, noting that both leaders agreed that restoring Zaporizhzhia’s operations was vital for Ukraine’s energy future and European energy security. However, he also acknowledged that discussions are far from yielding a concrete solution.
The fate of Zaporizhzhia remains a symbol of the broader conflict between Ukraine and Russia — a critical resource caught in the crosshairs of war, politics, and international diplomacy. As long as Russian forces remain entrenched in and around the facility, safe operation and any potential transfer of control will remain impossible.
In the meantime, the IAEA continues to monitor the situation closely, with permanent observers at the site, though their access is limited. The agency continues to issue warnings about the potential for environmental catastrophe should fighting escalate near the facility.
As for Trump’s suggestion, it serves as a reminder of the complex and evolving geopolitical calculations being made far beyond the front lines. Whether U.S. involvement in Ukraine’s nuclear infrastructure becomes more than a discussion topic remains to be seen. But for now, Ukraine’s message is clear: ownership of its nuclear assets will not be negotiated until they are safely back under Ukrainian control.
Trump Suggests U.S. Ownership Trump Suggests U.S. Ownership Trump Suggests U.S. Ownership
You must Register or Login to post a comment.