During a recent conversation with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, Donald Trump expressed a surprising interest in Ukrainian nuclear power plants. This statement has given rise to discussions, writes The New York Times.
“The United States can play an instrumental role in managing these plants, thanks to its experience in the field of electricity and utilities,” the official White House statement says.
The magazine notes that Ukrainian nuclear power plants, built back in Soviet times, became the basis of the country's energy system during the war, providing up to 66% of electricity.
Under war conditions, Ukraine initiated the construction of new nuclear reactors as the only way to ensure long-term energy security. American business interests may be involved in this process.
Before the start of the war, the American company Westinghouse signed an agreement with Energoatom to construct five reactors. After the Russian invasion, that number increased to nine, and agreements were reached to build smaller nuclear plants in Ukraine.
Westinghouse is particularly interested in the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant. Before the war, the plant used the company’s fuel and technology. After Russia captured it in 2022, concerns arose about the possible theft of Westinghouse’s intellectual property.
In 2023, the U.S. Department of Energy formally warned Rosatom about the possible legal consequences of using Westinghouse technology at the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant.
