No ownership, just investment: Zelensky on US nuclear plants proposal
4 Min Read
Zelensky dismissed Trump’s proposal for US ownership of Ukraine’s nuclear plants but left room for future investment.
-
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky speaks during a briefing in Kiev, Ukraine, Saturday, March 15, 2025 (AP)
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky stated that he could not negotiate the ownership of the occupied Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant, following Donald Trump's proposal that the United States could take over the plant.
"We will not discuss it. We have 15 nuclear power units in operation today. This all belongs to our state," Zelensky stated during a news conference with Norway's Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Store in Oslo on Thursday.
He maintained that the nuclear plant "legally belonged to Ukraine," reassuring the US, however, that Kiev is willing to allow it to invest in the plant once Ukraine regained control.
"If they want to take it back from the Russians, if they want to modernize it, invest -- this is a different question, this is an open question, we can talk about it," Zelensky said.
United States President Donald Trump previously suggested that his country could own and run Ukraine's nuclear power plants, during a call with Ukrainian President Zelensky, which constituted the first between the two since their fallout in February.
Maintaining a positive tone on Wednesday following his call with Zelensky, Trump "discussed Ukraine's electrical supply and nuclear power plants," according to a statement from National Security Advisor Mike Waltz and Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who emphasized that "American ownership of those plants would be the best protection for that infrastructure."
This comes after Ukraine reached an agreement for a partial ceasefire to the war with Russia, brokered by the United States.
Trump, Zelensky reach ceasefire agreement with Russia
US President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky have agreed to a ceasefire in the air and at sea, according to Ukrainian broadcaster Suspilne, which cited a source within Zelensky’s office on March 19.
The report indicated that during a phone conversation lasting nearly an hour, the two leaders also explored the possibility of a broader ceasefire along the front lines and discussed the release of prisoners, with Zelensky providing Trump with an update on the battlefield situation.
Earlier, Trump stated that he had spoken with Zelensky for about an hour, addressing the alignment of negotiating positions between Moscow and Kiev while also sharing details of his recent discussion with Russian President Vladimir Putin, which centered on efforts to de-escalate the conflict.
According to Bloomberg, Zelensky informed Trump that Ukraine had agreed to suspend attacks on Russia’s energy infrastructure, a major source of tension between the two nations.
Talks set for Jeddah
Meanwhile, ceasefire negotiations are set to resume on Sunday in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, according to US President Donald Trump's special envoy, Steve Witkoff.
The US delegation will be led by Secretary of State Marco Rubio and National Security Advisor Mike Waltz.
The talks will focus on expanding the ceasefire to include Black Sea security and energy facilities. Witkoff expressed optimism, stating, "The movement to peace will begin with an energy and infrastructure ceasefire, as well as technical negotiations on the implementation of a maritime ceasefire in the Black Sea, full ceasefire, and permanent peace."
However, Ukraine has accused Russia of violating the infrastructure ceasefire, citing continued strikes on civilian infrastructure just hours after Moscow agreed to the pause.
While the release of wounded POWs signals a humanitarian aspect to the negotiations, the larger war remains unresolved.
The conflict, which has left hundreds of thousands dead and displaced millions, continues to be the most significant military confrontation in Europe since World War II.
