US Energy Minister Chris Wright has recently made an important statement about possible management of Ukrainian nuclear power plants (NPPs) in a continuous war. In his answer to the questions of journalists, he stated that the United States can take over the Ukrainian NPP management, as they have extensive technical experience for this type of activity. However, he immediately stressed that the US administration is not considering the transmission of Ukrainian nuclear power plants to the United States.
"We have a huge technical experience in the management of nuclear power plants, and this does not need the military," Wright said. He added that the United States has sufficient competencies to manage such objects without the presence of military forces. This opens up opportunities for technical support and ensuring the stable operation of nuclear power plants in Ukraine in war.
Wright explained that at the moment the issue of the possibility of transferring Ukrainian NPPs to the ownership of the United States is not discussed. He also noted that foreign policy issues remain within the competence of the US President and the Secretary of State, who are actively working on strategic decisions. The possibility of transferring nuclear power plants to the hands of US authorities is not a priority within the framework of the current US policy towards Ukraine, since it does not meet the interests of international standards for managing nuclear objects and political requirements.
The US side is ready to support Ukraine in the management of its nuclear power plants as needed, given the safety and stability of these objects at a time when the country is in war. The US has experience in such operations, as in the past participated in the management of nuclear facilities in other countries within the framework of international security programs. At the same time, Wright added that such actions should be based on mutual arrangements with Ukraine and should not violate its sovereignty or ownership of nuclear objects.
According to him, today the issue of management of Ukrainian nuclear stations is only a theoretical opportunity, but given the security risks and challenges facing Ukraine, the United States is ready to provide technical support and advise on this issue. The stability and preservation of Ukrainian NPPs without additional threats to the environment or the population remains an important condition.
At the same time, the lack of discussions on the transfer of nuclear power plants to the US makes it clear that the issue of control over strategic infrastructure objects remains in the hands of the Ukrainian state, and the US can only contribute to their effective and safe functioning.
Considering the current situation on the front and the possibility of rapid restoration of the peace process, discussing the possible transfer of nuclear objects to the US property remains a distant prospect. It is important that the US continues to support Ukraine in various fields, including energy security, which is an important component of successful overcoming the consequences of the war.
