Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky asserted that all nuclear power plants in Ukraine are state-owned and belong to the Ukrainian people, following reports that U.S. President Donald Trump suggested an American takeover of the country’s nuclear infrastructure as a means of protection.
During their first conversation since Trump’s verbal attack on Zelensky at the White House, the U.S. president reportedly proposed U.S. control over Ukraine’s energy assets. However, Kyiv clarified that the discussions specifically pertained to the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant, which is currently under Russian occupation.
Zelensky denied any talks about U.S. ownership of Zaporizhzhia but confirmed discussions on strategies to reclaim the plant from Russian control and potential American investment in the facility.
Speaking to EU leaders from Norway, Zelensky urged Russian President Vladimir Putin to cease making “unnecessary demands” and emphasized that Russian strikes on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure continued despite Putin’s pledge to halt them.
Meanwhile, top military officials from across Europe and beyond convened to discuss plans for an international peacekeeping force in Ukraine as negotiations on a partial ceasefire progressed. British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer acknowledged progress toward a ceasefire, with a coalition led by the UK and France moving forward operationally. Starmer stressed that any peace deal must be enforceable to prevent violations by Putin, citing previous instances of Russia breaking agreements.
While Ukraine and Russia have tentatively agreed to a limited ceasefire, Putin rejected Trump’s call for a full 30-day truce. Zelensky stated that he and Trump discussed halting arms attacks on Russian energy and civilian infrastructure, ensuring there is no misunderstanding about agreed-upon terms. Negotiators from Moscow and the U.S. are set to meet in Saudi Arabia on Monday, according to Russian foreign affairs adviser Yuri Ushakov.
Starmer also highlighted the significance of Britain’s nuclear deterrent, stating that Russia acknowledges its strength. Before a visit to Barrow, where he participated in the construction of the next generation of Britain’s nuclear submarines, he affirmed that Trident has remained an effective deterrent since its inception.
On the battlefield, Ukraine launched a major drone strike on Russia’s Engels airbase, a key site for missile attacks on Ukrainian cities. The attack caused a massive explosion and fires, prompting a state of emergency in the region, located approximately 450 miles from Moscow. Engels airbase, which houses nuclear-capable bombers, has been a repeated target since the start of Russia’s invasion.
Additionally, Zelensky confirmed that Trump did not bring up the status of Crimea, despite reports suggesting the U.S. president might recognize the territory as Russian.
