US nuclear experts ready to operate Ukraine’s Zaporizhzhia plant Energy chief says

The US could easily take charge of operating a nuclear plant in Ukraine, including the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant (ZNPP), if a political decision is made, according to US Energy Secretary Chris Wright.

Speaking in an interview on Bloomberg Television, Wright said, "Along with local experts, we’d bring high-end nuclear experts from the United States, and together wise decisions would be made. America is full of expertise in this area."

Wright emphasized that there have been no discussions yet about US companies purchasing or operating the Zaporizhzhia plant, which has been under Russian occupation since early in the war. The plant ceased operations in September 2022 due to safety concerns and infrastructure damage.

On March 19, President Donald Trump raised the idea of US involvement in managing Ukraine’s energy infrastructure, including nuclear plants.

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt shared Trump’s proposal: "He said that the United States could be very helpful in running those plants with its US electricity and utility expertise. American ownership of those plants would be the best protection for that infrastructure and support for Ukrainian energy infrastructure."

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy responded to Trump’s suggestion, clarifying that while discussions with Trump were centred on US support in modernizing Ukraine's nuclear facilities, ownership transfer was not part of the conversation.

By Tamilla Hasanova