During a recent conversation with President of Ukraine Vladimir Zelensky, former US President Donald Trump suggested that the US side would take control of Ukrainian nuclear power plants. This initiative was surprised and ambiguous in both Kyiv and international experts.
According to The New York Times, Trump has suggested that the United States could be useful in the Ukrainian NPP management due to its experience in the energy sector. According to him, American possession of stations would be the best protection of their infrastructure and a way of ensuring the stability of the Ukrainian power system.
Zelensky made it clear that the Ukrainian NPPs would remain state and cannot be transferred to another country. At the same time, the President of Ukraine has expressed interest in attracting US investments in the restoration of Zaporizhzhya NPP, which is currently controlled by Russia.
Ukraine has one of the most powerful nuclear power systems in Europe, which provides about 66% of the country's electricity. In the war, it is the NPP that remains the most stable source of electricity, while thermal stations regularly undergo rocket attacks of the Russian Federation.
Even before the war, Ukraine entered into an agreement with the US company Westinghouse on the construction of new nuclear reactors. After the Russian invasion, the plans have expanded - now it is about nine reactors and the development of smaller nuclear stations.
Of particular interest to the United States is the Zaporizhzhia NPP, which used American fuel and technologies before occupation. Washington is concerned that Russia can use these technologies for its own purposes. In 2023, the US Ministry of Justice even warned Rosatom of possible legal consequences when using Westinghouse technologies at a seized station.
The main legal obstacle for the transfer of NPP under US control is Ukrainian legislation. All nuclear power plants belong to the State Enterprise of NNEGC "Energoatom", and their privatization is prohibited.
Former MP and Energy Expert Victoria Voytsytska noted that this idea will have significant political resistance in Ukraine, since control over nuclear energy is a strategic issue of national security.
In addition to the legal aspects, there are serious technical challenges. The Zaporizhzhia NPP remains in the occupation, its reactors are in a simple one, and due to the destruction of the Kakhovsky dam there was a problem with cooling. Restoration of the station may take several years.
Zelensky called the discussion of this issue with Trump a "positive step", but warned that a quick decision should not be expected. It is not clear at this time whether this proposal is only part of political rhetoric, or the real strategic intention of the United States to expand its presence in the Ukrainian energy sector.
At the same time, US Energy Minister Chris Wright said Washington is ready to take over the Ukrainian NPP management if it helps to reach a ceasefire. It is difficult to say whether this step is a way of economic partnership or a rigid political condition for future negotiations on peaceful settlement.
