Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said that talks with President Trump about ownership of Ukrainian nuclear power plants focused only on the Zaporizhzhia plant, which is currently under Russian occupation.
Zelensky made his remarks during a zoom briefing with reporters Wednesday night, responding to a question from the Financial Times.
Whether US control over the plant could serve as part of a peace plan was a “question of whether we are able to recover it and recover operations,” Zelenskyy told the FT.
The Ukrainian president said he was exploring with Trump whether “there could be an understanding that the US could recover [the power plant]”, according to the FT.
“…and the president asked, ‘What if there is an understanding that America can restore it?’” Zelensky described to reporters. “I told him [Trump]: ‘Yes, if it is possible to modernize, invest money, etc., we are ready to discuss it with you.’ But we spoke exclusively about one station that is under temporary occupation by Russia.”
Trump proposed American “ownership” of Ukraine’s electrical supply and nuclear power plants during a phone call with Zelensky on Wednesday, according to a statement by Secretary of State Marco Rubio and National Security Advisor Mike Waltz.
Trump said that the U.S. “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,” according to the readout.
The New York Times reported Tuesday that Trump views control of Ukraine’s nuclear power plant in Zaporizhzhia as important to eventually expand Ukraine’s critical mineral extraction industry, part of an economic deal the U.S. is pushing on Kyiv.
The power plant is occupied by Russian forces and is on the front line of fighting in the southeastern region of Ukraine.
Russian President Vladimir Putin declared annexation of four Ukrainian regions in September 2022, including Zaporizhzhia, despite Russian forces only having limited control. Most of the world has not recognized Russia’s claims.
