On March 19, President Volodymyr Zelensky mentioned that he had spoken with U.S. President Donald Trump regarding potential U.S. support for the restoration of the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant, Europe’s largest nuclear facility, which is presently under Russian control.
Zelensky stated during a Zoom briefing for reporters, “Water supply, technical personnel, and numerous other measures are required to ensure that in a year and a half to two and a half years, the plant starts generating revenue and electricity for the people. That is my vision.”
The Zaporizhzhia plant, located in the city of Enerhodar in Zaporizhzhia Oblast on the east bank of the Dnipro River, remains occupied by Russian forces, leaving Ukraine without access to the surrounding area.
During his conversation with Trump, the President suggested that the U.S. could be “extremely useful in operating the plants with its expertise in electricity and utilities,” and that “American ownership of those plants would provide the best protection,” according to the White House, which did not specify any particular facilities.
Zelensky also noted during the March 19 briefing that Trump inquired if the U.S. could assist in the reconstruction of the facility during their talk.
“Yes, if we can modernize it and invest funds. This can be a topic of discussion, but we talked about just one station,” Zelensky said.
On March 14, Zelensky confirmed that the status of the Zaporizhzhia plant and adjacent Russian-occupied areas had been a topic of discussion with U.S. officials during bilateral talks held in Saudi Arabia a week prior.
Currently, while the station is under Russian control, it does not produce electricity. The plant has been repeatedly disconnected from Ukraine’s power grid due to Russian assaults on the nation’s energy infrastructure. Moscow continues to disregard international calls to relinquish control over the facility.
Experts have informed the Kyiv Independent that regaining control over the plant poses significant challenges for Ukraine, and sustaining a military presence there without liberating surrounding territories appears improbable.
Ukraine and its allies have persistently urged Russia to pull out its troops from the plant, highlighting the nuclear safety risks associated with its militarization.
Approximately 20% of Ukraine remains under Russian occupation, with reports indicating systemic repression, torture, and forced deportations occurring in these occupied regions.
Russian airbase in Saratov Oblast reportedly ablaze following the most severe drone assault on the region
Governor Roman Busargin reported that the Russian cities of Saratov and Engels were struck in the heaviest drone attack on Saratov Oblast during the entire full-scale conflict overnight on March 20, noting a fire at a local airfield.
