Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has reiterated that all nuclear power plants in Ukraine, including the Zaporizhzhia facility currently under Russian occupation, belong exclusively to the Ukrainian state. This assertion follows a phone call with former US President Donald Trump, during which Trump proposed that the United States could take control of Ukraine’s nuclear power infrastructure as a security measure.

The conversation occurred on Wednesday, 4th October 2023, amid ongoing discussions about the potential resolution of the conflict in Ukraine, which has now entered its third year. During the call, Trump suggested that American involvement in the management of Ukraine’s nuclear facilities would offer “the best protection” for the country’s energy infrastructure, a position later echoed in a statement by Secretary of State Marco Rubio and National Security Adviser Michael Waltz. Trump remarked that the US could significantly aid in the operation of these nuclear plants given its expertise in energy production.

Located in Enerhodar, the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant is the largest in Europe, having previously generated around 20% of Ukraine’s electricity before it was seized by Russian forces in early 2022. The plant’s six reactors are currently in a state of “cold shutdown,” requiring constant monitoring due to their non-operational status and the degradation of the facility. Access to water, crucial for cooling the reactors, has been jeopardised since an explosion in June 2023 destroyed a dam, leading to significant concerns over the plant’s safety and potential nuclear hazard.

Zelensky spoke to reporters in Oslo a day after the call with Trump, emphasising that “we will not discuss” the transfer of Ukrainian nuclear power plants, firmly stating, “This all belongs to our state.” He clarified that while discussions with Trump included the extensive needs of the Zaporizhzhia plant, including the need for investment and modernisation once Ukrainian control is re-established, they did not broach the topic of ownership transfer to the US. “If they want to take it back from the Russians, if they want to modernise it, invest – this is a different question,” Zelensky said.

The Ukrainian President further expressed concerns over Russia’s continued military presence around the plant, warning that “liberating the plant alone is not enough” without the necessary infrastructure like water supply and technical personnel to ensure safe operation.

Despite Trump’s proposal, analysts in Ukraine have expressed scepticism. Oleksandr Kharchenko, an energy analyst, noted that the return of the Zaporizhzhia plant to the Ukrainian grid would be transformative not only for Ukraine but also for the energy dynamics of eastern and central Europe. However, re-establishing its operational capacity is projected to take years, with estimates ranging from one year for restarting select reactors to as many as four years for complete functionality.

In a broader context, these discussions are taking place as Zelensky continues to engage with international leaders to foster support for Ukraine’s sovereignty and energy security. Both the Ukrainian and US governments have been under pressure to navigate a complex political and military landscape, with emphasis on the importance of recapturing key infrastructure from Russian control to ensure future stability.

Source: Noah Wire Services