US President Donald Trump has informed Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky that the United States could take ownership and manage Ukraine’s nuclear power plants as part of his latest effort to secure a ceasefire amid Russia’s invasion.
This proposal comes as around 30 military leaders from various countries interested in safeguarding a potential ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine prepare for discussions in Britain about establishing a peacekeeping force.
Following yesterday’s conversation with Mr. Trump, Mr. Zelensky stated that Kyiv was “prepared” to pause assaults on Russia’s energy network and infrastructure, just a day after Russian President Vladimir Putin consented to halt similar attacks on Ukraine.
Mr. Zelensky also mentioned he had deliberated on Mr. Trump’s plan for the takeover of power plants.
He further asserted that he had “not felt any pressure” from Mr. Trump to make concessions to Russia.
Nevertheless, a broader ceasefire remains elusive, with the Kremlin leader asserting during his call with Mr. Trump on Tuesday that the West must first cease all military assistance to Ukraine.
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer and France’s President Emmanuel Macron have expressed their willingness to deploy British and French troops into Ukraine.
The UK government indicates that a “significant number” of nations are poised to do the same, although it remains unclear how many countries are actually interested.
Mr. Trump’s tone yesterday was notably more optimistic following the call, with the White House labeling it as “fantastic” – despite a recent heated televised confrontation between the two in the Oval Office.
Mr. Trump “addressed Ukraine’s electrical supply and nuclear power facilities” and stated that the US could be “very beneficial” in managing them,” according to a joint statement by National Security Advisor Mike Waltz and Secretary of State Marco Rubio.
“American ownership of those facilities would offer the best protection for that infrastructure,” the statement added.
‘Ending the war’
Additionally, Mr. Trump committed to assisting Kyiv in acquiring more air defense equipment from Europe and to locate Ukrainian children “abducted” by Russia, as noted in the statement.
The US President previously mentioned on his Truth Social platform that endeavors towards a complete truce were “very much on track.”
Mr. Zelensky indicated that Ukrainian and US officials could convene in the coming days for new discussions in Saudi Arabia, where Russian and American teams are also expected to meet early next week.
Yesterday, Ukraine and Russia exchanged 372 prisoners, according to Moscow, which was organized as a goodwill gesture following the Trump-Putin call.
However, Ukraine and Russia have accused each other of continuing their attacks.
Russia reported the destruction of 132 Ukrainian drones in overnight operations across several regions of the country.
Ukrainian emergency services stated that an overnight Russian drone strike hit residential structures in Kropyvnytsky in central Ukraine, injuring eight individuals, including a child.
‘Don’t believe Putin’
The primary obstacle remains Mr. Putin’s reluctance to agree to a full ceasefire – a stance that Kyiv and some of its Western allies argue highlights the Russian leader’s unreliability.
During his call with Mr. Trump on Tuesday, Mr. Putin insisted that a complete ceasefire could only be achieved if the West concedes to Moscow’s long-held demand to stop its billions in military aid to Ukraine.
The Kremlin chief also required that Ukraine be prohibited from rearming and must suspend mandatory mobilization.
Russia and the US were even at odds over the outcomes of the call.
The Kremlin claimed that they only discussed ceasing attacks on power plants, while the White House maintained that the discussions included both energy and other civilian infrastructure.
Mr. Trump’s gestures towards Mr. Putin, along with indications that Washington will no longer guarantee European security, have also alarmed Kyiv and the NATO allies of the United States.
