The statement made by Donald Trump regarding “American ownership” of Ukraine’s nuclear power plants has caused confusion. According to Marco Rubio, the US secretary of state, Trump told Volodymyr Zelenskyy that this would be the best protection for the plants in the future. However, Zelenskyy denied any discussion about property rights between them.
The Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant, the largest in Europe, has been seized by Russia and remains on the frontline of the conflict. It was previously generating 20% of Ukraine’s electricity but halted operations because of the war. The destruction of the Nova Kakhova dam has further complicated the situation by leading to a lack of available water for cooling.
Russia’s goal has been to reconnect the plant to its own electricity grid. However, restarting it is currently impossible due to the necessary restoration work. Shaun Burnie, a nuclear expert with Greenpeace, states that the cooling pond’s water level is insufficient and can only be replenished after the end of hostilities.
Meanwhile, Vladimir Putin also sees the plant as a trophy and is unlikely to be persuaded by Trump’s interest in it. Rafael Grossi from the International Atomic Energy Agency mentioned Putin’s detailed knowledge of the plant during a meeting they had. Ukraine’s desire to recover the plant and rebuild its economy during peacetime increases tensions regarding its control and potential use for cheap energy in the country.
While Ukraine has been transitioning its reactor technology and fuel supplier from Russia to Westinghouse, a US-based supplier, this move is not unlikely to be viewed favorably by Putin. If the current frontlines in Ukraine were to become frozen due to an armistice or peace deal, it would become even more difficult for the US to effectively operate the plant while surrounded by Russian occupiers.
Rubio’s statement that American ownership would provide the best protection for Ukraine’s nuclear and energy infrastructure clashes with the US refusal to provide post-conflict military or security guarantees for the country.
Source: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/mar/20/trumps-demand-that-us-could-take-over-ukraines-reactors-is-not-credible
