Oslo, Norway – Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has denied that he ever discussed the possibility of the United States taking ownership of Ukraine’s nuclear power plants during any conversation with former U.S. President Donald Trump. His statement came in response to earlier claims from the U.S. Secretary of State and the White House, which suggested the topic may have been raised during a Trump-Zelensky call.

“All nuclear power plants belong to the people of Ukraine,” Zelensky stated during a joint press conference with Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre in Oslo. He emphasized that Ukraine’s nuclear facilities are national assets and reaffirmed that the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant, currently under Russian control since 2022, cannot function unless it is restored to Ukrainian oversight.

While firmly rejecting the idea of foreign ownership, Zelensky did leave the door open for cooperation. “If the Americans want to take the station from the Russians and they want to invest there, we are ready to discuss it,” he added. This conditional openness signals Ukraine’s willingness to explore partnerships that could lead to reclaiming key energy infrastructure from Russian forces.

In a related development, Zelensky confirmed that Ukrainian and U.S. officials will meet in Saudi Arabia on Monday to work out the details of a proposed energy ceasefire. The meeting could pave the way for broader discussions on securing Ukraine’s energy independence and protecting critical infrastructure amid the ongoing conflict.

The Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant has remained a major point of international concern due to safety risks and its strategic significance. Ukraine's position remains clear: any path forward must ensure full Ukrainian control and sovereignty over its nuclear resources.