Ukraine may have a unique opportunity to regain control of the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant (ZNPP), which is currently under Russian occupation. This chance may arise after the end of the Russian gas transit agreement, which expires on December 31 this year. Volodymyr Omelchenko, Director of Energy Programs at the Razumkov Center, stated this in an interview with NV.
Omelchenko stressed 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 could take advantage of this situation and demand the return of the Zaporizhzhia NPP as a condition for extending 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 power system next winter. However, a quick result is impossible, since it takes time to check the condition of the facility - a lot of things will be mined there. It will also be necessary to carry out a lot of work," Omelchenko noted.
He also stressed that Russia would find itself in a difficult situation if it were left without gas transit through Ukraine. This would create 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 would be a real disaster.
At the same time, Omelchenko warned against excessive optimism, noting that it is not worth simply waiting for the return of the ZNPP through negotiations, without using pressure mechanisms.
Military expert Mikhail Zhirokhov added that one possible scenario for the development of the Kursk operation could be an attempt to seize the Kursk NPP in order to exchange it for the Russian-occupied Zapadnaya NPP. International organizations such as the IAEA could help Ukraine in this.
However, it should be remembered that even in the event of a successful return of the ZNPP, its restoration will take a long time. As Omelchenko previously noted, the Russian occupation forces are not properly servicing the equipment at the station, and after de-occupation it may take several years to restore its full operation.
