Despite discussions between the US and Ukraine, the Director of the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant (ZNPP) affirmed that the facility belongs to Russia and is operated by Russia alone.
RT reported that amid speculation that the US could take over Ukraine's energy facilities, including ZNPP, director Yuri Chernichyuk has said firmly: "No one can control the nuclear power plant, no matter how much they want."
Mr. Chernichyuk emphasized that the ZNPP belongs to the Russian Federation and will continue to operate under Russian law. He completely denied the possibility of the US or Ukraine taking control of this nuclear facility.
Previously, US President Donald Trump and Ukrainian counterpart Volodymyr Zelensky discussed Washington's takeover of Ukraine's energy system, including nuclear plants.
US Energy Secretary Chris Wright even said that the operation of nuclear facilities that were once Soviet-run facilities is not difficult for the US.
However, Russia has controlled the ZNPP since March 2022, and by the end of the year, the Zaporizhzhia region had voted to join Russia. The plant has been largely closed since mid-2023 due to shelling and water disruption.
While President Zelensky said Ukraine needed money and experts to restore the ZNPPs operations, Russia has its own plan.
A subsidiary of state-owned energy giant Rosatom is operating the plant, aiming to restore the facility to operation when safety conditions are guaranteed.
In the face of prolonged tensions, the oversight of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) at the ZNPP is still continuing. However, with strong statements from Russia, it seems that the prospect of Ukraine or the US gaining control of this nuclear power plant is just a distant dream.
