Russia refuses to hand full control of Zaporizhzhia NPP to US – Reuters
Photo: Zaporizhzhia NPP becomes a stumbling block in peace talks (Getty Images)
Moscow rejected the US proposal in a peace deal for full Washington control over the Zaporizhzhia NPP, which would have allowed the US to distribute energy between Ukraine and Russia, according to Reuters.
"Russia has pushed back on a US proposal under which Washington would control the plant and distribute its power to both Russia and Ukraine," the report said.
At the same time, it is known that Russia insists on maintaining its own control over the Zaporizhzhia NPP. The Kremlin has suggested that Ukraine could receive electricity at low prices under this arrangement.
"Moscow insists that it control the plant, while offering Ukraine cheap power, a proposal Kyiv finds unacceptable," Reuters added.
According to sources, the Zaporizhzhia NPP issue in peace talks is as contentious as territorial disputes. These two points are the hardest to agree on with the aggressor, as Russia remains firm, while Kyiv refuses to compromise.
Zaporizhzhia NPP situation
Russia occupied the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant on March 4, 2022. Since then, the plant has been under Russian control, repeatedly raising concerns in Ukraine and internationally over nuclear safety risks.
Under a proposed peace deal, Washington suggested joint management of the NPP involving Ukraine, Russia, and the US. However, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that this approach is unfair and unacceptable.
Moscow insists that the electricity produced at the plant be shared between Ukraine and Russia.
Kyiv’s position is that the Zaporizhzhia NPP remains under Ukrainian control, and only Ukraine has the right to operate it, according to Energoatom Chairman Pavlo Kovtonyuk.
Russia is attempting to legitimize its occupation of the plant by creating conditions to resume electricity production and connect it to its own energy system.
