Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has ruled out any negotiations regarding the ownership of the Russian-occupied Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant. In response to a suggestion from former US President Donald Trump that the US could take control of the plant, Zelenskyy reaffirmed that all of Ukraine’s 15 nuclear power units legally belong to the Ukrainian people, reports BBC.
“We will not discuss it. This all belongs to our state,” Zelenskyy stated while speaking in Norway. However, he expressed openness to US investment in Ukraine’s nuclear sector once the plant is reclaimed from Russian occupation.
The Ukrainian leader addressed a summit of EU leaders and said, “Putin must stop unnecessary demands that only prolong the war and must start fulfilling what he promised the world.”
During a phone call on Wednesday, Trump reportedly proposed that the US could help operate and possibly own Ukraine’s nuclear power plants, according to a statement from the US presidential administration. While Zelenskyy dismissed any discussions on ownership, he acknowledged the possibility of US investment in modernizing the Zaporizhzhia facility once it is back under Ukrainian control.
“If they want to take it back from the Russians, modernize it, invest — this is a different question,” Zelenskyy stated, leaving room for future cooperation.
The Zaporizhzhia plant, Europe’s largest nuclear facility, has been under Russian occupation since 2022 and is facing severe operational challenges. Its six reactors remain in cold shutdown, it has lost its main supply of cooling water, and details on its internal condition remain undisclosed.
Ukraine remains committed to regaining control of the plant while maintaining sovereign authority over its nuclear infrastructure.