Zelensky says discussed with Trump US idea of owning occupied nuclear plant

His comments to reporters came after Trump told Zelensky on Wednesday that the United States could own and run Ukraine's nuclear power plants as part of his latest bid to secure a ceasefire in Russia's invasion.

"We talked only about one power plant, which is under Russian occupation," Zelensky, who was on an official visit to Finland, said during an online briefing, referring to the plant in Zaporizhzhia.

The power station, Europe's largest, was captured by Russian forces early in their invasion launched in February 2022 and since has been a flashpoint of concerns over a possible nuclear incident.

Zelensky said that it could take more than two years for the plant to be made operational again, and that its generation capacity was needed by both Ukrainians and Europe.

"Do we need it? For people, yes, and for Europe, too. To join the European electronic network -- absolutely. We can do all this," he said.

- No 'pressure' from Trump -

Since taking office in January, Trump has sought a speedy resolution to the more than three years of brutal fighting between Russia's invading force and the Ukrainians.

Zelensky last week backed a US-led proposal for a complete and unconditional ceasefire in Ukraine, but the Kremlin refused and instead proposed a halt on strikes on energy infrastructure.

The Ukrainian leader told reporters from Finland that Putin was unlikely to agree to any ceasefire as long as Ukraine's troops were still fighting for control of Russia's Kursk region, where Kyiv launched an audacious but struggling offensive last year.

"He does not want a ceasefire while our troops are on the territory of the Kursk region," Zelensky said.

Russian forces have been making steady gains in the Kursk region for weeks, thwarting what Kyiv hoped would be a bargaining chip in talks with Moscow.

The Trump administration's speedy engagement with Russian officials, a sharp departure from the previous administration's approach, has raised fears in Ukraine that it could be forced to make unpopular concessions, like ceding territory to Russia.

But Zelensky told reporters that Trump had not mounted any pressure on Kyiv to capitulate to the Kremlin demands.

"I want to be frank, very frank. Today I did not feel any pressure from Trump, there was none. And this is a fact. You know that I am an open person. If it was, I would have told you frankly," he said.

His comments come just weeks after a shocking standoff between the two leaders in the White House which ended in the Ukrainian delegation, including Zelensky, leaving ahead of schedule.

- 'I'm not going to tell you' -

During the briefing with reporters, Zelensky said that he spoke with Emmanuel Macron on a daily basis, after the French leader called him unexpectedly during the press conference.

"Yes, I have just spoken to President Macron, to Emmanuel," Zelensky said after receiving a telephone call during the briefing. "We often talk a lot. Once a day. After our conversation, I will call him back."

Zelensky also announced that he would visit France next week, without elaborating.

The Ukrainian leader has urged his Western allies to step up aid even in the event of a ceasefire, and announced on Wednesday that his country had recently received "several" more F-16 fighter jets.

"I'm not going to tell you how many," Zelensky told reporters, without saying which country delivered them. Ukraine received its first deliveries of the US-made aircraft last year.

Trump floats US takeover of Ukraine nuclear plants
Washington (AFP) Mar 20, 2025 - Donald Trump has told Volodymyr Zelensky that the United States could own and run Ukraine's nuclear power plants as part of his latest bid to secure a ceasefire in Russia's invasion of its neighbor.

The offer comes as some 30 military chiefs from countries keen to help protect an eventual ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine prepared for talks in Britain on Thursday to discuss planning for a peacekeeping force.

EU leaders were also set to discuss the three-year war at a summit in Brussels on Thursday, as well as the bloc's defence capabilities as it grapples with an aggressive Russia.

Following the Wednesday call with Trump, Ukrainian President Zelensky said that Kyiv was "ready" to pause attacks on Russia's energy network and infrastructure, a day after Russian leader Vladimir Putin agreed to halt similar strikes on Ukraine.

Zelensky also said he had discussed Trump's power plant takeover plan.

"We talked only about one power plant, which is under Russian occupation," Zelensky, who was on an official visit to Finland, said during an online briefing, referring to the plant in Zaporizhzhia.

He added that he had "not felt any pressure" from Trump to make concessions to Russia.

But a wider ceasefire remains elusive with the Kremlin leader insisting in his own call with Trump on Tuesday that the West first stop all military aid for Ukraine.

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer and France's President Emmanuel Macron have said they are willing to put British and French troops on the ground in Ukraine.

The UK government says a "significant number" of nations are prepared to do the same, but it is not clear exactly how many countries are keen.

Trump's tone on Wednesday was markedly more positive after the Zelensky call, with the White House describing it as "fantastic" -- despite the fact that the two men had a blazing televised row in the Oval Office recently.

Trump "discussed Ukraine's electrical supply and nuclear power plants" and said Washington could be "very helpful" in running them," National Security Advisor Mike Waltz and Secretary of State Marco Rubio said in a joint statement.

"American ownership of those plants would be the best protection for that infrastructure," it said.

- 'Ending the war' -

Trump also pledged to help Kyiv get more air defense equipment from Europe, and to find Ukrainian children "abducted" by Russia, the statement said.

The US president earlier said on his Truth Social network that efforts to reach a full truce were "very much on track."

Zelensky said Ukrainian and US officials could meet in coming days for fresh talks in Saudi Arabia, where Russian and American teams are also due to meet early next week.

Russia and Ukraine exchanged 372 prisoners, Moscow said Wednesday, which was planned as a goodwill gesture following the Trump-Putin call.

Kyiv and Moscow however have accused each other of continuing attacks.

Russia said it destroyed 132 Ukrainian drones in overnight attacks in several regions throughout the country.

Ukrainian emergency services said on Thursday that an overnight Russian drone attack struck residential buildings in Kropyvnytsky in central Ukraine wounding eight people, including a child.

- 'Don't believe Putin' -

The major sticking point remains Putin's resistance to a full ceasefire -- something that Kyiv and some Western allies say underscores how the Russian leader cannot be trusted.

Putin insisted during his call with Trump on Tuesday that a full ceasefire was only possible if the West agree to Moscow's long-standing demand to halt its billions of dollars in military aid for Ukraine.

The Kremlin chief also demanded Ukraine must not be allowed to re-arm and must halt mandatory mobilization.

Moscow and Washington were even at odds on the results of the call.

The Kremlin said they only discussed halting power plant attacks, but the White House insisted the talks covered both energy and other civilian infrastructure.

Trump's overtures to Putin, and indications Washington will no longer guarantee European security, have also spooked Kyiv and the United States's NATO allies.

"I don't believe Putin at all, not a single word. He only understands force," said Kyiv resident Lev Sholoudko, 32.

In Moscow, locals were more optimistic the talks could bring an end to the fighting -- to Russia's advantage.

"Definitely this is in our favor," said Moscow resident Larisa, 46.

"There is no other way. What happened in 1945 will happen now," she added, referring to the Soviet Union's victory over Nazi Germany.