Trump's Bid for Ukraine's Nuclear Plants Sparks Controversy Amid Ceasefire Talks

As U.S. officials gear up for talks with Russia in Saudi Arabia this Sunday, President Trump’s bold interest in Ukraine’s nuclear infrastructure has added a new layer of intrigue to already complex negotiations.

Russian President Vladimir Putin recently agreed to a partial ceasefire concerning Ukraine’s energy infrastructure, including the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Station, Europe’s largest nuclear facility. However, skepticism looms over whether Moscow can stick to its commitments, given its track record of targeting Ukrainian infrastructure. This ceasefire, if extended, could offer a glimmer of relief for Ukraine, though experts remain doubtful.

High-ranking officials like Secretary of State Marco Rubio and National Security Advisor Mike Waltz are heading to Jeddah to secure broader agreements, including a ceasefire over the Black Sea. The grain export deal brokered in 2022 through Turkey and the United Nations is also in focus, though Putin famously bailed on it last year, triggering global disruptions in agricultural product prices.

Trump, however, seems to have pivoted his attention from mineral deals to a surprising new interest: U.S. "ownership" of Ukraine’s nuclear power plants. In a joint statement, Rubio and Waltz claimed such ownership would bolster Ukraine’s energy infrastructure and safeguard its future. This bold ambition, however, raises questions about its feasibility and geopolitical implications.

Rebekah Koffler, a former intelligence officer and author of "Putin’s Playbook," doubted that Putin would take kindly to this proposal. "Putin almost certainly is not in favor and would try to sabotage the deal," she said, adding that Ukraine’s President Zelenskyy might also hesitate to approve such a move. The Zaporizhzhia plant, under Russian control, remains a contentious point, with experts warning that attempts to wrestle it away by force could lead to escalated conflict.

Former CIA Moscow station chief Dan Hoffman added his voice to the skepticism, calling Trump’s nuclear ambitions "just another discussion point." Hoffman argued that Putin’s real goal remains unchanged: toppling Ukraine’s government and crippling its ability to deter Russian aggression in the future. "Putin gains through negotiation what he can’t achieve on the battlefield," he added. The former station chief emphasized that Putin has shown "zero indication" of genuinely wanting a ceasefire, despite public gestures.

While Trump’s plan has sparked heated debates, Hoffman pointed out that history suggests wars like these rarely end through diplomatic talks. "One side loses, one side wins, or both sides lose the capacity to fight," he said. "That’s how wars typically end." And for Ukraine, the battlefield seems to remain the deciding factor.

As negotiations unfold, many are watching to see whether Trump’s nuclear ambitions will become a diplomatic bargaining chip or just another fleeting headline. Either way, it’s clear that both sides are playing hardball with stakes higher than ever.