Zelenskyy confirms US interest in Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Plant
Photo: Volodymyr Zelenskyy (Vitalii Nosach, RBC-Ukraine)
During today's conversation with his Ukrainian counterpart, US President Donald Trump expressed interest in the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant and the potential US role in its restoration, according to President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy's statement during a Zoom briefing with journalists.
"The discussion was about the nuclear power plant that is currently under temporary occupation. It is dangerous because Russia controls the nuclear plant. It is not operational because Russia is unfamiliar with its operation, and it remains occupied," Zelenskyy said.
According to the president, he and Trump discussed whether Ukraine could restore the plant.
"I said that the plant alone is not enough because there must be the right infrastructure, water supply, technical personnel, and many other steps necessary for the station to become profitable in 1.5–2 years. It must generate electricity, especially for the people," the Ukrainian leader added.
Zelenskyy noted that Trump asked whether Ukraine's leadership would accept the idea of the US restoring the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant.
"I responded that yes if there is an opportunity for modernization, investment, and so on, we are ready to discuss it. But we talked exclusively about one plant that is under the control of 'patriots' (Russians - ed.)," Zelenskyy emphasized.
Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant situation
The White House stated today that President Donald Trump discussed power plants and nuclear facilities in Ukraine during a conversation with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. He noted that the US could assist Ukraine in managing them.
"American ownership of those plants would be the best protection for that infrastructure and support for the Ukrainian energy infrastructure," White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt stated.
Earlier, the US president also mentioned that during negotiations in Saudi Arabia, US, and Ukrainian representatives touched on the issue of control over the Zaporizhzhia NPP after the war.
Russian forces seized the Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant in early March 2022. The facility has periodically lost connection to backup power supplies.
The head of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Rafael Grossi, has warned that the situation at the Zaporizhzhia NPP remains unstable due to ongoing shelling.
