In a recent conversation, U.S. President Donald Trump conveyed to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky that the United States could potentially take ownership and management of Ukraine’s nuclear power plants. This proposition forms part of his latest efforts to secure a ceasefire amid Russia’s ongoing invasion.
The offer coincides with discussions involving military leaders from approximately 30 nations, all eager to contribute to a protective ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine. These discussions are set to take place in Britain, focusing on the logistics of establishing a peacekeeping force.
Following his call with President Trump, President Zelensky expressed that Kyiv is “ready” to halt attacks on Russia’s energy infrastructure. This comes just a day after Russian President Vladimir Putin indicated a willingness to cease similar strikes on Ukraine.
President Zelensky also mentioned that they talked about Trump’s plan regarding the power plants, noting he felt “no pressure” from Trump to make concessions to Russia. However, achieving a broader ceasefire remains challenging as President Putin insisted, in his own call with Trump, that the West must first cease all military support for Ukraine.
In support of Ukraine, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer and French President Emmanuel Macron have signaled their readiness to deploy British and French troops if necessary. The UK government reports a “significant number” of nations willing to join this effort, although specifics on participation remain unclear.
Following their conversation, President Trump seemed notably more optimistic, with the White House describing the call as “fantastic”— a significant shift from their recent heated televised debate in the Oval Office.
In a joint statement, National Security Advisor Mike Waltz and Secretary of State Marco Rubio outlined Trump’s discussions about Ukraine’s electrical supply and nuclear facilities, stating that the U.S. could be “very helpful” in managing these infrastructures. They expressed, “American ownership of those plants would be the best protection for that infrastructure.”
Trump has also committed to assisting Kyiv in acquiring additional air defense systems from Europe and pledged to locate Ukrainian children reportedly “abducted” by Russia. He took to his Truth Social network earlier, asserting that efforts to achieve a complete truce were “very much on track.”
President Zelensky indicated that Ukrainian and U.S. officials might convene in the coming days for new discussions in Saudi Arabia, which coincides with planned talks between Russian and American representatives next week.
Recently, Russia and Ukraine executed an exchange of 372 prisoners, a goodwill gesture following the Trump-Putin discussions. Yet, both nations have accused one another of continuing to launch attacks, with Ukrainian officials reporting that Russian assaults in the country’s east left two dead overnight, while a drone attack injured ten, including four children. Conversely, Russia claimed to have destroyed 132 Ukrainian drones in attacks across multiple regions.
The core issue hindering a complete ceasefire remains President Putin’s insistence on preconditions that many in Kyiv and the West view as untrustworthy. During his call with Trump, Putin stated that a full ceasefire could only be achieved if the West agrees to halt its substantial military aid to Ukraine. He also demanded a cessation of Ukraine’s rearming efforts and mandatory mobilization.
Discrepancies emerged between Russia and the U.S. regarding the nature of their discussions, with the Kremlin asserting that they focused solely on halting attacks on power plants. In contrast, the White House maintained that the conversation encompassed broader energy and civilian infrastructure concerns. President Trump’s overtures toward Putin, alongside signs that Washington may no longer guarantee European security, have raised alarms in Kyiv and among NATO allies.
As we navigate these turbulent discussions and efforts toward peace, it’s vital to remember the words of President Kennedy: “Let us never negotiate out of fear. But let us never fear to negotiate.”
Edited By Ali Musa
Axadle Times International – Monitoring.
