Trump proposes US ownership of Ukrainian nuclear plants to secure ceasefire

As a part of his moves to brokering peace amid Russia’s ongoing invasion of Ukraine, US President Donald Trump has proposed American ownership and management of Ukraine’s nuclear power plants. This proposal came during a call with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Wednesday, 19 March where both leaders discussed potential measures to halt the conflict.

Zelenskyy, who was on an official visit to Finland, acknowledged the discussion, specifically referring to a nuclear plant currently under Russian control in Zaporizhzhia. He emphasized that he did not feel pressured by Trump to make concessions to Russia, adding that Kyiv was prepared to pause attacks on Russia’s energy infrastructure. This willingness to compromise came just a day after Russian President Vladimir Putin agreed to halt similar strikes on Ukrainian infrastructure.

The White House characterised Trump’s call with Zelenskyy as “fantastic,” reflecting a notably positive tone despite a recent heated televised exchange between the two leaders in the Oval Office. National Security Advisor Mike Waltz and Secretary of State Marco Rubio released a joint statement highlighting the proposal as a strategic move to safeguard Ukraine’s energy infrastructure.

“American ownership of those plants would be the best protection for that infrastructure,” the statement read, adding that Trump also pledged to assist Ukraine in acquiring more air defence equipment from Europe and locating Ukrainian children allegedly abducted by Russia.

However, the path to a comprehensive ceasefire remains fraught with obstacles. Putin, during a separate call with Trump on Tuesday, 18 March reiterated his longstanding demand for the West to cease military aid to Ukraine before agreeing to a full ceasefire. Additionally, the Russian president insisted that Ukraine must not be allowed to rearm or continue mandatory mobilisation.

Despite ongoing diplomatic efforts, tensions on the ground remain high. On Wednesday, 19 March Moscow and Kyiv exchanged 372 prisoners as a gesture of goodwill following the Trump-Putin call. Nonetheless, both sides accused each other of continuing hostilities.

Ukraine’s Defense Ministry reported overnight Russian missile and drone strikes, which killed one person and damaged hospitals and railway energy infrastructure in the central Dnipropetrovsk region. Meanwhile, Russia’s Defense Ministry claimed that Ukraine deliberately attacked an oil depot in the southern part of the country, aiming to derail Trump’s peace initiatives.

The contrasting narratives from Washington and Moscow on the Trump-Putin call further underscore the complexities of achieving a ceasefire. While the Kremlin maintained that talks focused solely on power plant safety, the White House asserted that the discussion covered broader energy and civilian infrastructure issues.

Locals in Kyiv expressed scepticism about Putin’s intentions, with residents doubting the feasibility of a full ceasefire without military support from the West. On the other hand, optimism was more apparent in Moscow, where some believed the talks could favour Russia’s strategic interests.

Amid the ongoing diplomatic tussle, further negotiations are expected in Saudi Arabia, where US and Russian delegations will meet next week to explore avenues for peace.