As Ukraine seeks a lasting security guarantee from the United States, officials in Kyiv are considering a complex proposal to regain control of the Russian-occupied Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant (ZNPP). Initially, discussions centered on a minerals agreement that would grant the U.S. preferential access to Ukraine’s critical raw materials. However, the idea of reclaiming ZNPP has now emerged as a potential alternative.
“The discussion about ZNPP first arose as part of conversations about the minerals deal,” a senior Ukrainian official told POLITICO, speaking anonymously. “Mining requires significant amounts of electricity, and this plant is the largest in Europe. The U.S. suggested we could collaborate on restoring control over the facility.”
For Ukraine, the issue extends beyond just the power plant. “We don’t see de-occupying the NPP as separate from reclaiming Enerhodar, the city where the plant’s workers reside,” the official added. “Many of them, along with their families, have effectively been held hostage by Russian forces.”
Meanwhile, in Washington, senior officials in Donald Trump’s administration have been advocating for the plan.
“[Trump] indicated that the U.S. could provide valuable assistance in managing these plants, given its expertise in electricity and utilities,” U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said in a statement following a conversation between Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. “American ownership of these facilities would offer the best protection for the infrastructure and bolster Ukraine’s energy security.”
During a late-night call with reporters, Zelenskyy clarified that the discussions with Trump focused only on the Zaporizhzhia plant, which remains under Russian control. However, he emphasized that the topic of ownership was not addressed. “ZNPP, like all Ukrainian power plants, belongs to the people of Ukraine,” he stated.
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