Donald Trump has proposed that the United States take control of Ukraine’s nuclear power plants as part of his plan to help secure a ceasefire in the ongoing war between Russia and Ukraine. This offer was made during a phone call with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.
The proposal comes as military leaders from around 30 countries prepare to meet in Britain to discuss the possibility of a peacekeeping force to protect a future ceasefire. EU leaders were also planning to meet in Brussels to discuss the ongoing conflict and how to strengthen the EU’s defense capabilities against Russia.
After speaking with Trump on Wednesday, Zelensky announced that Ukraine was “ready” to pause attacks on Russian energy and infrastructure, following a similar agreement by Russia to halt its strikes on Ukraine.
Zelensky confirmed that Trump’s proposal was specifically about one nuclear power plant under Russian occupation in Zaporizhzhia. He clarified that the discussions did not pressure Ukraine to make concessions to Russia.
However, a broader ceasefire remains uncertain. Russian President Vladimir Putin has insisted that the West must stop all military aid to Ukraine before any agreement can be made.
In the meantime, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer and French President Emmanuel Macron expressed their willingness to send British and French troops to Ukraine if needed. Trump’s idea of the US taking charge of Ukraine’s nuclear plants was framed as a way for the US to provide significant help in managing the country’s electrical supply and nuclear energy.