Trump proposes U.S. take ownership of Ukrainian nuclear plants in phone call with Zelensky

During their roughly one-hour phone call on Wednesday, U.S. President Donald Trump told Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky that “American ownership” of Ukraine’s nuclear power plants would be “the best protection” for them, White House Press Secretary Caroline Leavitt told reporters.

“He said the United States could be very helpful in running those plants, with its electricity and utility expertise,” Leavitt said.

She also said Zelensky requested “additional air defense systems to protect his civilians, particularly Patriot missile systems,” and that Trump “agreed to work with him to find what was available, particularly in Europe.”

Trump and Zelensky discussed the situation in Russia’s Kursk region as well and “agreed to share information closely between their defense staffs as the battlefield situation evolved,” Leavitt said.

Additionally, Trump pledged to “work closely” with both Russia and Ukraine on the return of Ukrainian children forcibly deported to Russia. Leavitt added that both Trump and Zelensky agreed that a “partial ceasefire” halting strikes on energy infrastructure could be “the first step toward the full end of the war and ensuring security.”

Writing on social media, Zelensky described his conversation with Trump as “positive, very substantive, and frank.” He confirmed his support for a mutual ceasefire on strikes against energy facilities and other civilian infrastructure. “The American side also proposed an unconditional ceasefire on the frontline, and Ukraine accepted this proposal as well. We will continue working to make this happen,” he said.

Earlier, Trump called the call “very good,” saying it was largely “based on the call made yesterday with President Putin in order to align both Russia and Ukraine in terms of their requests and needs.”