The United States could take control of Ukrainian nuclear power plants. This was a proposal from US President Donald Trump when he spoke by phone with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Wednesday.
This is according to a statement from US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and National Security Advisor Mike Waltz about the call. The two describe the call as "fantastic".
- President Trump also spoke about Ukraine's electricity supply and nuclear power plants, the statement says.
According to the statement, Trump told Zelensky that the United States could be "very helpful in operating those power plants with its electricity and utilities expertise". The US president further stated that "American ownership of those power plants would be the best protection for the infrastructure". It is not clear which power plants Trump specifically envisions the US taking over.
Both Trump and Zelensky have said after Wednesday's phone call that it was a good call.
Talked about occupied power plant
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky confirmed in a video address on Wednesday evening that he and Trump had discussed possible American ownership of the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant.
- We only talked about one power plant, which is under Russian occupation, Zelensky said according to AFP.
The Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant, Europe's largest, came under Russian control during the war in Ukraine. It is located in southeastern Ukraine near the town of Enerhodar in the Zaporizhzhia region, which is one of the four regions that Russia has declared to have annexed during the war. Zelenskyj said on Wednesday evening that it could be more than two years before the power plant is back in operation.
- Do we need it? For the people, yes, and also for Europe, he says.
The annexations and several disputed referendums have not been internationally recognized.
Senior researcher Flemming Splidsboel from the Danish Institute for International Studies (Diis) has said that both Trump's and Zelenskyj's positive statements should be taken with a grain of salt.
- Trump is very positive because he wants things to move forward. Zelenskyj is in a position where it is difficult for him to say anything other than that Trump is on the right track. In this way, the reports that come in are difficult to relate to, he tells Ritzau.
/ritzau/
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