President Trump proposed a takeover of Ukrainian power plants as a form of protection, suggesting the U.S. could deter Russian attacks, amid a push for a partial ceasefire between Kyiv and Moscow covering energy facilities and infrastructure.
Trump made the offer during a call with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Tuesday.
“American ownership of those plants would be the best protection for that infrastructure and support for Ukrainian energy infrastructure,” national security adviser Mike Waltz and Secretary of State Marco Rubio said in a joint statement following the call.
“He said that the United States could be very helpful in running those plants with its electricity and utility expertise,” they added.
Trump’s push for control of Ukraine’s nuclear power plants is reportedly linked to his support for a minerals deal with Ukraine as repayment for American military assistance. The president shelved the deal with Ukraine following an explosive Oval Office meeting late last month. And while Zelensky’s overtures have helped repair U.S. relations that ruptured in the fallout, the minerals deal is currently stalled.
The New York Times reported Tuesday that Trump views control of Ukraine’s nuclear power plant in Zaporizhzhia as important in building out extraction of the war-torn nation’s critical minerals. The power plant is occupied by Russian forces and is on the front line of fighting in the southeastern region of Ukraine.
Posted by John3262005
5 Comments
As Ukrainian, I’d say it’s actually not that bad of a proposal in current situation. I’m absolutely don’t see Russian returning it without US pressure. Who manages it doesn’t matter much, it just need to supply energy. As long as there certain safeguards that won’t allow US to pressure Ukrainian government with it much. It’s location is also bad to effectively protect. And it being critical stuff to lessen influence of Russia in the future. It also big enough carrot to make Trump play ball. Not to mention it’s pretty old and need modernization.
edit: *I’m talking specifically about Zaporizhzhia one.* But I’m not sure about their appetite, though. Other ones should be joint ownership max, and only because they are old and need modernization. We probably can’t do it easily ourselves. It could result in some losses for US short term, but already build nuclear plant seems like good asset.
I don’t buy the argument that US ownership would be a security guarantee.
The US lost over 200 Marines in a Lebanon bombing and rather than double down, the US withdrew.
Now of course the US brought all hands on deck when lives were lost in the lead up to WWI and WWII but we could just as likely run away
This would be only viable for the Zaporizhzhia plant the other plants are protected enough that there is no benefit to giving them over. Fortunately, I don’t know why they would want the other ones considering where the minerals are located.
Not a bad proposal so 0% chance of it happening.
I really don’t see the reason for any of this