Russia aims to split Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant electricity with Ukraine, - Politico

Unnamed US officials told the outlet that much of this week’s talks in Abu Dhabi between Ukraine, Russia, and the United States focused on economic issues, including who would control the Zaporizhzhia plant.

No agreement was reached. However, Moscow is seeking a deal in which Ukraine and Russia would share the electricity output from Europe’s largest nuclear plant.

"Both parties are starting to envision what they can gain from peace, like the prosperity plan for Ukraine, some of these opportunities for Russia to do business deals with the United States of America," one official said.

Situation at ZNPP

The Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant has been under Russian occupation since March 2022. During this time, Russia has repeatedly tried to legitimize control over the facility, violating international law.

Recent actions by Russia’s “Rostekhnadzor” are seen as another act of nuclear coercion, increasing risks to regional and global safety.

As part of US peace initiatives, a format for joint management of the plant involving Ukraine, Russia, and the United States has been proposed. However, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has called such an approach unfair.

Previously, on November 19, 2025, Ukraine restored electricity to the occupied ZNPP after a power line was damaged in Russian shelling. Before that, the plant had lost power completely ten times.

On December 6, ZNPP again lost its external power supply. Currently, the plant is connected to only one external line, which continues to pose nuclear safety risks.

In January, the IAEA reached an agreement with Ukraine and Russia on a temporary ceasefire near ZNPP, allowing the last reserve power line to be repaired. Repairs began on January 18.