Trump floats US ownership of Ukraine’s nuclear plants amid ceasefire talks

The tentative deal to partially rein in the grinding war came after Russian President Vladimir Putin rebuffed Mr Trump’s push for a full 30-day ceasefire

US President Donald Trump, left, Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, centre, and Russian President Vladimir Putin (Aurelien Morissard, left and centre, Pavel Bednyakov/AP)

During recent ceasefire discussions, US president Donald Trump suggested that Ukraine consider allowing US ownership of its nuclear power plants to ensure their long-term security, according to White House officials. 

The proposal, which arose during a call between Mr Trump and Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy, specifically focused on the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant — Europe’s largest facility, currently under Russian control.