US President Donald Trump has proposed that the United States take ownership and management of Ukraine’s nuclear power plants as part of his latest efforts to broker a ceasefire in Russia’s invasion.
Following a phone conversation with Trump, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky stated that Kyiv was prepared to pause its strikes on Russia’s energy infrastructure, just a day after Russian President Vladimir Putin agreed to halt similar attacks on Ukraine. Zelensky also confirmed that they had discussed Trump’s proposal regarding the power plants.
“We only spoke about one plant, which is currently under Russian occupation,” Zelensky said, referring to the Zaporizhzhia nuclear facility. He added that he did not feel pressured by Trump to make any concessions to Russia.
Despite these developments, a broader ceasefire remains elusive. Putin has insisted that the West must first cease all military aid to Ukraine before any comprehensive truce can be reached.
Trump, however, struck a more optimistic tone after his call with Zelensky. White House officials described the conversation as “fantastic,” despite previous tensions between the two leaders. National Security Advisor Mike Waltz and Secretary of State Marco Rubio released a joint statement, confirming that Trump had discussed Ukraine’s energy supply and nuclear power plants.
“American ownership of those plants would be the best protection for that infrastructure,” the statement read.
Trump also pledged to assist Kyiv in acquiring more air defence systems from Europe and to help locate Ukrainian children reportedly taken to Russia. He later stated on his Truth Social platform that efforts towards a full ceasefire were “very much on track.”
Further negotiations are expected in Saudi Arabia in the coming days, where Russian and American delegations are set to meet.
Meanwhile, Ukraine and Russia conducted a prisoner exchange on Wednesday, with 372 detainees released in what was described as a goodwill gesture following Trump’s conversation with Putin. However, hostilities continued on both sides.
Ukraine’s Defence Ministry reported overnight missile and drone attacks by Russia, killing one person and damaging hospitals in the Dnipropetrovsk region. Meanwhile, Russia claimed that Ukraine deliberately targeted an oil depot in the south, with the Kremlin accusing Kyiv of trying to “derail” Trump’s diplomatic efforts.
A major point of contention remains Putin’s refusal to agree to a full ceasefire unless the West halts military aid to Ukraine. He has also demanded that Ukraine stop its mobilisation efforts and refrain from rearming.
The White House and the Kremlin also presented differing accounts of Putin’s call with Trump. While Moscow claimed that only attacks on power plants were discussed, Washington insisted that the talks covered a wider range of issues, including civilian infrastructure.
Trump’s engagement with Putin and his reluctance to guarantee European security have raised concerns among Kyiv and NATO allies. In Ukraine, scepticism remains high.
Meanwhile, in Moscow, some citizens viewed Trump’s diplomatic overtures as beneficial to Russia. “Definitely this is in our favour,” said local resident Larisa. “What happened in 1945 will happen now,” she added, alluding to the Soviet Union’s victory in World War II.
