US Taking Over Ukrainian Nuclear Plants is 'No Problem,' Says Energy Secretary
America has the expertise to operate the Soviet-built facilities, Chris Wright has asserted. According to US Energy Secretary Chris Wright, American nuclear specialists have the necessary skills to manage Ukrainian nuclear facilities if President...
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America has the expertise to operate the Soviet-built facilities, Chris Wright has asserted.
According to US Energy Secretary Chris Wright, American nuclear specialists have the necessary skills to manage Ukrainian nuclear facilities if President Donald Trump gives the green light for such an initiative.
The idea of the US taking control of Ukraine’s energy supply, including its nuclear power plants, emerged from Trump’s phone call with Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky on Wednesday, based on official US reports of the discussion.
In an interview with Fox News, Wright was asked about the feasibility of such a plan and indicated that it could be executed if the Trump administration views it as a vital step toward achieving peace in the conflict between Ukraine and Russia.
“If it was helpful to achieve that end to have the US run nuclear plants in Ukraine – no problem, we can do that,” he stated.
The Trump administration has proposed that potential American control of Ukraine’s energy sector “would be the best protection” for that infrastructure.
Soviet-built nuclear facilities have become essential for Ukraine's electricity supply, especially as Russia has targeted critical components of the power grid that it views as vital for Ukraine's military operations and logistics.
This week, Russian President Vladimir Putin accepted Trump’s proposal for a moratorium on strikes against Ukrainian energy infrastructure, while Zelensky agreed to refrain from long-range drone attacks on Russian facilities in return. However, Ukraine quickly violated the agreement by launching three kamikaze drones against an internationally-owned oil transfer station in Russia on Wednesday, which Moscow’s military described as a blatant provocation.
Further talks involving the US, Russia, and Ukraine concerning a gradual de-escalation of hostilities are set for later this week. At a press conference on Wednesday, Zelensky revealed plans to send specialists in port infrastructure to Saudi Arabia as he seeks to bolster protection for the national transport system.
During the same media event, Zelensky clarified that he did not propose that Trump take ownership of Ukrainian nuclear facilities but instead requested American investment in the Zaporozhye nuclear power plant, which is under Russian control and which Kiev considers illegally occupied.
James del Carmen contributed to this article for TROIB News
According to US Energy Secretary Chris Wright, American nuclear specialists have the necessary skills to manage Ukrainian nuclear facilities if President Donald Trump gives the green light for such an initiative.
The idea of the US taking control of Ukraine’s energy supply, including its nuclear power plants, emerged from Trump’s phone call with Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky on Wednesday, based on official US reports of the discussion.
In an interview with Fox News, Wright was asked about the feasibility of such a plan and indicated that it could be executed if the Trump administration views it as a vital step toward achieving peace in the conflict between Ukraine and Russia.
“If it was helpful to achieve that end to have the US run nuclear plants in Ukraine – no problem, we can do that,” he stated.
The Trump administration has proposed that potential American control of Ukraine’s energy sector “would be the best protection” for that infrastructure.
Soviet-built nuclear facilities have become essential for Ukraine's electricity supply, especially as Russia has targeted critical components of the power grid that it views as vital for Ukraine's military operations and logistics.
This week, Russian President Vladimir Putin accepted Trump’s proposal for a moratorium on strikes against Ukrainian energy infrastructure, while Zelensky agreed to refrain from long-range drone attacks on Russian facilities in return. However, Ukraine quickly violated the agreement by launching three kamikaze drones against an internationally-owned oil transfer station in Russia on Wednesday, which Moscow’s military described as a blatant provocation.
Further talks involving the US, Russia, and Ukraine concerning a gradual de-escalation of hostilities are set for later this week. At a press conference on Wednesday, Zelensky revealed plans to send specialists in port infrastructure to Saudi Arabia as he seeks to bolster protection for the national transport system.
During the same media event, Zelensky clarified that he did not propose that Trump take ownership of Ukrainian nuclear facilities but instead requested American investment in the Zaporozhye nuclear power plant, which is under Russian control and which Kiev considers illegally occupied.
James del Carmen contributed to this article for TROIB News
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