Ukraine may get a unique opportunity to regain control over the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant (ZAEP), which is currently under Russian occupation. This chance may appear after the end of the contract on the transit of Russian gas, which expires on December 31 of this year. This was stated by Volodymyr Omelchenko, director of energy programs of the Razumkov Center, in an interview for NV.
Omelchenko emphasized that many European countries, including Austria, Slovakia and the Czech Republic, are interested in extending the transit contract with Gazprom, as Russian gas is an important source of energy for them. Gazprom is also extremely interested in extending this contract, as its economic situation currently remains difficult.
According to Omelchenko, Ukraine can take advantage of this situation and demand the return of the Zaporizhia NPP as a condition for the extension of the transit agreement. He believes that such an approach could have a real chance of success, although it would require significant efforts on the part of Ukrainian diplomacy and energy strategy.
"If this plan works and we return the ZNPP, it will significantly ease the situation in the energy system already next winter. However, a quick result is impossible, because it takes time to check the condition of the object - there will be a lot of mines there. It will also be necessary to carry out a lot of work," Omelchenko noted.
He also emphasized that Russia will find itself in a difficult situation if it remains without gas transit through Ukraine. This will put additional pressure on Moscow from its allies such as Hungary, Slovakia and Austria, which are heavily dependent on Russian gas. According to the expert, the loss of 6 billion euros for Gazprom will be a real disaster.
At the same time, Omelchenko warned against excessive optimism, noting that simply waiting for the return of ZNPP through negotiations, without applying pressure mechanisms, is not worth it.
Military expert Mykhailo Zhirokhov added that one of the possible scenarios for the development of the Kursk operation could be an attempt to capture the Kursk NPP with the aim of exchanging it for the Russian-occupied ZANEP. International organizations such as the IAEA could help Ukraine in this.
However, it should be remembered that even in the case of a successful return of the ZNPP, its restoration will take a long time. As Omelchenko previously noted, the occupation forces of Russia are not engaged in proper maintenance of the equipment at the station, and after the deoccupation it may take several years to restore its full operation.
