Kyiv, Ukraine – In a move that has sparked widespread debate, US President Donald Trump recently suggested that Ukraine should transfer its nuclear power plants to American control as a means of ensuring their safety amid ongoing tensions with Russia. This proposal came during a phone conversation with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on March 19, 2025, when Trump stated, "American ownership of those plants could be the best protection for that infrastructure." However, Zelenskyy clarified the following day that only the Zaporizhzhia plant, currently under Russian occupation, was discussed, and he firmly rejected any notions of giving away national assets, asserting, "Power plants are national property and a takeover bid had never come up."
This dialogue unfolds against the backdrop of escalating violence in Ukraine, particularly following a large-scale Russian drone attack on the southern port city of Odesa on March 20, 2025, which resulted in injuries to at least three civilians. The attack targeted civilian infrastructure, including a high-rise residential building and a shopping center, and was part of a broader offensive in which nearly 200 drones struck the Kirovohrad region, causing additional injuries and damage to homes and critical services.
Before the Russian invasion in 2022, Ukraine's four nuclear power plants generated approximately half of the country's electricity. The Zaporizhzhia plant alone accounted for about a fifth of that energy, but it has been rendered inoperable since Russia's invasion. The ongoing concerns about its status were highlighted by military official Ihor Romanenko, who remarked on the potential for a catastrophic Russian provocation similar to the destruction of the Nova Kakhovka dam last year.
In parallel, Zelenskyy is preparing to send a team of negotiators to upcoming peace talks in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, set for March 24, 2025. The participants intend to clarify what could be agreed upon regarding energy infrastructure and ceasefire arrangements. However, with Russia's continued military assaults, including drone attacks on energy facilities, the feasibility of establishing a lasting dialogue remains in question as Zelenskyy urged, "stop making unnecessary demands that only prolong the war."
The modifications brought about by the ongoing conflict have generated not only military but also political complexities. Certain narratives surrounding Trump's overtures have raised eyebrows, particularly seeing them as leveraging Ukraine's dire military state. Romanenko criticized the suggestion to transfer ownership as a possible exploitation of Ukraine's vulnerabilities. He stated, "Our memory works fine. We remember everything that belongs to Ukraine and will fight for what is ours."
Amidst these geopolitical tensions, concerns also loom regarding the condition of Ukraine's aging nuclear power infrastructure. The environmental group Bankwatch has labeled these facilities "zombie reactors" and questioned their safety and operational reliability. Yet, in a rebuttal, Petro Kotin, head of Ukraine's nuclear energy monopoly Energoatom, contended that his agency has successfully extended the reactors' operational lifespan, countering allegations of negligence in maintenance and claims of corruption surrounding procurement practices. Olga Kosharna, a nuclear safety expert, has pointed to pervasive corruption at Energoatom, saying, "They get crazy kickbacks. This is a team of marauders."
As the world watches these events unfold, sensitivity surrounding the energy and security dynamics in Ukraine continues to grow. Trump's remarks may reflect more than casual diplomacy; they could signal a potentially significant shift in geopolitical relations, with Ukrainian sovereignty at the forefront. The engagement between US and Russian negotiators in Riyadh will test the waters of international diplomacy as high-level talks will commence against the backdrop of persistent military strikes by Russia, culminating in increasing civilian hardship.
In conclusion, the precarious situation facing Ukraine calls for astute navigation of its diplomatic relations—balancing security, energy independence, and the protection of its sovereignty amid an unyielding conflict. With the eyes of the world fixed on the negotiations in Riyadh, peace seems a distant hope as both sides prepare for a multifaceted dialogue that could reshape the future of Ukraine and its critical energy assets.
