The U.S. has suggested that handing Ukrainian nuclear power plants over to American control is the best way to ensure their protection amid ongoing conflict. This proposal, made by officials including Secretary of State Marco Rubio and National Security Advisor Mike Waltz, follows a phone call between Presidents Trump and Zelenskyy. However, Zelenskyy interpreted the discussions to focus on only the occupied Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant. The proposal sparked significant backlash in Ukraine, with opposition leaders criticizing the idea and recalling past commitments made regarding Ukraine’s sovereignty in 1994.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and National Security Advisor Mike Waltz stated that the best way to protect Ukrainian nuclear power plants was to hand them over to the U.S.
Zelenskyy asserted that discussions with Trump were misunderstood; they focused on one power plant under occupation, namely the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant.
Ukrainian opposition leaders expressed outrage, reminding that Ukraine gave up its nuclear weapons in the 1994 Budapest Memorandum for guarantees of sovereignty from the U.S. and Russia.
Concerned lawmakers questioned whether Zelenskyy himself offered the Zaporizhzhia plant to the U.S. in exchange for reconstruction assistance after the occupation by Russia.
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