US Department of Energy may assume management of Ukrainian nuclear power plants

President Volodymyr Zelensky stated that during a telephone discussion with US President Donald Trump, the resumption of operations at the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant was addressed. The United States Department of Energy has confirmed its capability to assume management of Ukrainian nuclear power facilities, citing its extensive experience in the field.

Rubryka reported this, referring to Volodymyr Zelensky's online briefing and US Secretary of Energy Chris Wright's statement on the Fox News channel.

"It [ZNPP – ed.] is not working, again, because Russia completely illegally occupied it. The question is whether we can restore this plant; we talked about it," Zelensky noted.

He added that in a conversation with Trump, he emphasized that the deoccupation of the ZNPP alone was not enough.

"I said that just the station is not enough. There must be appropriate infrastructure, a water supply, and technical personnel. A lot of steps need to be taken so that in one and a half to two or two and a half years, the station starts to bring in money, to bring in what it should – electricity for people," the head of state noted.

According to him, Donald Trump was interested in the possible participation of the United States in the modernization of the ZNPP.

"I told him: yes, if it is possible to modernize, invest money, etc., we are ready to discuss it with you," Zelensky noted.

The US Department of Energy confirmed that it can take over the management of Ukrainian nuclear power plants.

"No problem, we can do it," US Energy Secretary Chris Wright said in response to a question about possible US participation in managing Ukrainian nuclear power plants to end the war.

The Energy Secretary emphasized that the US "has tremendous technical experience to manage these power plants."

According to Wright, US President Donald Trump's administration is not currently discussing the possibility of transferring Ukrainian nuclear power plants to US ownership.

"I don't think it requires a presence on the ground, but I will leave foreign policy to President Trump and Secretary of State Rubio. I know they are working tirelessly," Wright added.

It should be noted that during their conversation the day before, the White House announced that Presidents Donald Trump and Volodymyr Zelensky discussed the work of Ukrainian nuclear power plants. According to a White House spokeswoman, Trump said the US could assist in managing the plants.

For reference:

The Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant has been under Russian occupation since March 4, 2022. Russian military personnel and military equipment are located on the nuclear facility's territory. The invaders neglected the security of the largest nuclear power plant in Europe, and the plant often finds itself on the verge of a blackout. In addition, it is known that the Russians mined part of the ZNPP.

In June 2023, Russian forces destroyed the Kakhovka Hydroelectric Power Plant. The resulting destruction of the Kakhovka Reservoir has left the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant with sufficient water for cooling only while in a cold shutdown state.