Zaporizhzhia NPP belongs to Ukraine, but US investment possible - Zelenskyy
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy (Photo: RBC-Ukraine, Vitalii Nosach)
The Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant (ZNPP) belongs to the state, and Ukraine has no intention of transferring its ownership to anyone. However, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy noted at a press conference that the United States may invest in its restoration and modernization.
"All nuclear power plants belong to the people of Ukraine. These are state-owned nuclear power plants. We do not have private ownership in this area. And the one in occupied Zaporizhzhia region, in the city of Enerhodar (Zaporizhzhia NPP), also belongs to the Ukrainian state," Zelenskyy stated.
The president added that the ZNPP will not operate under anyone’s control unless it remains Ukrainian.
"If they want to invest, to modernize it — that's a different matter. That’s an open question, and we can discuss it. But we have not discussed the issue of ownership with President Trump," he emphasized.
Zelenskyy also stressed that he did not discuss the transfer of energy generation in Ukraine during his conversation with Trump.
"We will not discuss this. Our nuclear plants are operational, with 15 reactors in total, and all of them belong to our state. We are connected to the European grid, which is a serious guarantee of energy security for us," Zelenskyy added.
The head of state also noted that all workers currently employed at the occupied Zaporizhzhia NPP are Ukrainian citizens, while the Russian forces are keeping them there under coercion.
"All the workers, all the nuclear engineers, there are Ukrainians. Do you know how they are keeping them there? They took many of their children, put them on buses, and took them to Russian territory. That is how they force people to work," the president explained.
Situation at Zaporizhzhia NPP
Yesterday, the White House stated that President Donald Trump, during his conversation with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, discussed the issue of power plants and nuclear power stations in Ukraine. Trump mentioned that the US could assist Ukraine in managing them.
Later, Zelenskyy confirmed that the American president had shown interest in the Zaporizhzhia NPP and the possible involvement of the US in its restoration. According to Zelenskyy, Trump asked whether Ukraine’s leadership would support US efforts to modernize the plant.
It is important to recall that Russian forces captured the Zaporizhzhia NPP in early March 2022. The plant has repeatedly lost connection to its backup power supply.
The head of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Rafael Grossi, has stated that the situation at the ZNPP remains unstable due to constant shelling.
