Ukraine's energy facilities are in the US's 'sights', Kiev wants Washington to send more air defense systems

On March 19, US President Donald Trump proposed to his Ukrainian counterpart Volodymyr Zelensky to take over ownership of Kiev's power plants to ensure the security of these important facilities.

US President Donald Trump and his Ukrainian counterpart Volodymyr Zelensky had a phone call on March 19. (Source: Daily Express)

The leaders of Ukraine and the United States had a phone call on March 19, one day after President Trump and his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin had a phone call.

Reuters news agency reported that, according to a statement from the White House, in a phone call with Mr. Zelensky, Mr. Trump suggested that: "US ownership of these plants could be the best protection for that infrastructure", as well as being "very useful in operating these plants with our expertise in electricity and utilities".

During the hour-long call, President Zelensky asked Mr. Trump for more air defense support to protect civilians from Russian attacks. In response, Mr. Trump affirmed that he would help Ukraine search for equipment in Europe.

After the phone call, US Energy Secretary Chris Wright affirmed that the US is ready to take over Ukraine's nuclear power plants if that action contributes to ensuring a ceasefire and ending the conflict in the Eastern European country.

For his part, President Zelensky said that during the phone call, he and his US counterpart mainly discussed the Russian-controlled Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant. He affirmed that Kiev is ready to discuss US participation in modernizing and investing in the nuclear power plant if it is returned to Ukraine.

The Ukrainian president thanked Mr Trump for US support, describing the call as “very substantive and frank”, and confirming Kiev’s readiness to stop attacks on Russian energy infrastructure.

"We have instructed our teams to resolve technical issues related to the implementation and extension of the partial ceasefire. The Ukrainian and American teams are ready to meet in Saudi Arabia in the coming days to continue coordinating steps towards peace," Zelensky said.

According to the leader, a pause in attacks on energy facilities in the conflict with Russia could be established quickly, but there would be a proportionate response if Moscow violated the ceasefire terms.

Ukraine will also draw up a list of facilities that could be included in the Washington-brokered partial ceasefire, which could include not only energy facilities but also rail and port infrastructure.

The Ukrainian president expressed his desire to understand how to monitor a partial ceasefire, but believed it would be successful if it was supported by the United States, and said Washington should be responsible for monitoring any ceasefire.

Source: https://baoquocte.vn/den-luot-cac-co-so-nang-luong-ukraine-nam-trong-tam-ngam-cua-my-kiev-muon-washington-gui-tiep-he-thong-phong-khong-308208.html