Oslo: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has firmly rejected any discussions regarding the potential US ownership of the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant.
According to Anadolu Agency, Zelenskyy and US President Donald Trump had a phone conversation on Wednesday, where they discussed energy supplies to Ukraine and the status of the country's nuclear power plants. The conversation was later detailed in a statement by National Security Advisor Mike Waltz and Secretary of State Marco Rubio, released by the White House.
The statement revealed that Trump offered the possibility of US involvement in running the plants, suggesting that US ownership could provide the "best protection." However, Zelenskyy clarified in a briefing that the topic of ownership was not part of their discussion. He expressed openness to discussions on the modernization of the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant but emphasized that ownership was not on the table.
During a joint press conference with Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Store in Oslo, Zelenskyy reiterated that all nuclear power plants in Ukraine are owned by the Ukrainian people and managed by Ukrainian workers. He highlighted the ongoing challenges at the Zaporizhzhia plant, particularly the lack of proper maintenance and the critical technical condition of the facility.
Zelenskyy pointed out the absence of a normal water supply to cool down the reactors, a situation exacerbated by the destruction of the Kakhovka Dam in June 2023. He also noted the presence of International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) personnel at the plant since September 1, 2022, following its capture by Russian forces in March 2022.
The Ukrainian president underscored the legal and operational implications of non-Ukrainian ownership of the plant, stating that it would not be feasible or lawful. The ongoing tension around the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant remains a significant concern, with both Moscow and Kyiv accusing each other of attacks near the facility, raising fears of a potential nuclear disaster.